Title page of the “Edict of Potsdam” - Ursprung unbekannt, Gemeinfrei, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=874945
Only two days before Reformation Day in 1685, Friedrich Wilhelm von Hohenzollern, the Great Elector of Brandenburg (the heartland of the future Kingdom of Prussia), issued the "Edict of Potsdam" in response to the "Edict of Fontainbleu". In the latter, Louis XIV affirmed Catholicism as the state religion of France and thus not only issued a ban on Protestant worship. His Edict also announced the destruction of the still existing Protestant places of worship. All pastors who were not willing to convert immediately were expelled from the country within two weeks. However, Protestants were allowed to remain in France if they refrained from gathering to practice their religion. But Protestants lost their civil rights, for example, they could no longer marry or acquire property. The Edict of Potsdam, also known as the Potsdam Edict of Tolerance, offered free and safe settlement to Protestants who were persecuted in France for their religion. The refugees were granted generous privileges, including exemption from taxes and customs duties, subsidies for business enterprises, and payment of pastors by the principality. After the Edict of Fontainebleau was issued, a mass exodus of about 200,000 people (various sources quote figures between 150,000 and 250,000), about 20 percent of the Protestant population of France developed, despite threats of severe punishment.
A modern version of the well known “Huguenot Cross” von Serein - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4557797
Our family is what today is called a "family with a migration background". On my father's side, we have only had a German name for four generations. My great-grandmother was the last to be born with a French surname - Chambeau, coming from the Berry region located in central France. So whenever we celebrate Reformation Day, we not only commemorate the Reformation. We also commemorate the fact that our ancestors found refuge, a new home, support and freedom of faith and conscience in the country where we are still allowed to live today. And even today, 335 years later, we are still deeply grateful.
