This massacre, perpetrated on St.Michael's day, was called _the Michaelade_.

The barbarities committed against the Catholics in Dauphiny and in Provence by Francis de Beaumont, Baron of Adrets, have remained as historical as the massacre of Vassy, and he justified them on the same grounds as Montluc had given for his in Guienne.

"Nobody commits cruelty in repaying it," said he; "the first are called cruelties, the second justice.

The only way to stop the enemy's barbarities is to meet them with retaliation." Though experience ought to have shown them their mistake, both Adrets and Montluc persisted in it.

A case, however, is mentioned in which Adrets was constrained to be merciful.