Paris was largely Catholic with a growing Huguenot population. The Huguenots attempted to keep their affiliation secret for fear of persecution. Certain Catholics were secretly collecting names of Huguenots for future use.

Marguerite's father, the king of France, had died and her brother had become king. Marguerite's mother, apparently thought it a good idea to arrange the marriage of Marguerite, a Catholic, to Henry of Navarre, a Huguenot. Perhaps she thought the union would bring peace between the Catholics and the Huguenots.