Weakening influence of Church in The Return of Martin Guerre

The story of Bertrande and Martin takes place in the middle of the 16th century, a period that coincides with our readings in Ch 14 & 15.  The locale is the town of Atrigat in southwestern France in the  region known as the Languedoc.

Protestant missionaries began arriving in the county of Foix by 1536 and Protestantism spread throughout this region. Towns nearby to Artigat, declared themselves "Reformed" in the 1560's. (At one point in the late 16th century the Huguenots controlled over 200 towns in southern and western France.) You can see the spread of Protestantism on the map on page 453.

In this light, consider:

• At the time of their marriage, Martin was only14 years old (no wonder he was sexually inadequate!), and Bertrande was only 8 or 9 (pehaps she was afraid as well?).  She was younger than the usual marriage age. It was probably a violation of canon law for her to marry but the local curate allowed the wedding to go forward anyway. 
• In the film, Jean de Coras, the investigating magistrate says to Bertrande that she must tell them everything, in spite of what the priest said...