The sentence was too drastic for the French government to sanction immediately; it was therefore postponed by command of the king, but it was finally executed, at least in part.

[Sidenote: 1545] A ghastly massacre took place in which eight hundred or more of the Waldenses perished.

A cry of horror was raised in Germany, in Switzerland, and even in France, from which the king himself recoiled in terror.
Only a few days after his accession Henry issued an edict against blasphemy, and this was followed by a number of laws against heresy.

A new court of justice was created to deal with heretics.

[Sidenote: October 8, 1547] From its habit of sending its victims to the stake it soon became known as the Chambre Ardente.