This work reassesses Europe's infamous religious wars through the history of religious peace before, during and after the wars.

1. Religion and violence, war and peace; Part I. 1529-55: 2. Wars and rumors of war; 3. Managing conflict, validating diversity; 4. The contours of religious peace I: Central Europe; Part II. 1562-1609: 5. Religious war unleashed; 6. An elusive peace; 7. Ending war, shaping peace; 8. The contours of religious peace II: Western Europe; Part III. 1618-51: 9. Climax and denouement; 10. Grudging consent; 11. The contours of religious peace III: the Continent; 12. The contours of religious peace IV: Great Britain; Conclusion: 13. Envisioning religious peace; Bibliography; Index.