The marriage between Henry III of Navarre, a prominent leader of the Huguenots, and Margaret of Valois, a Catholic princess, was celebrated on the eve of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, which ultimately overshadowed the intentions behind the union. This strategic marriage was arranged to unify the fractured realms of Protestantism and Catholicism in France, where a series of Wars of Religion had created a complex web of allegiances. The wedding was an important event held in the magnificent setting of Paris, symbolizing a fragile hope for reconciliation in a society stratified by religious divisions.

As a result of the union, hopes were raised for greater peace and stability within the country. The marriage was seen as an attempt to legitimize Henry's claim to French inheritances while simultaneously providing Catholic factions with a powerful ally. The celebration, fortunately, drew many notable guests, and festivities were planned to foster goodwill between differing faiths. However, it became tragically ironic given the violent climate of the subsequent days.

Only days after the wedding, tensions erupted into violence as the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre occurred, creating a vicious turn of events that led to the slaughter of thousands of Huguenots. The marriage that was intended to signal peace instead became a grim prelude to further bloodshed. The intertwining of the royal families further complicated the political landscape, and the atrocities following the wedding left an indelible mark on French society.