The Little Princess - Jeanne D’albret

1528–72

Although I am just a little Princess, God has given me the government of this country so I may rule it according to his Gospel and teach it his Laws. I rely on God, who is more powerful than the King of Spain.

She was reportedly a short, frail woman, with great determination. Jeanne d’Albret apparently learned the way of faith from her mother, Marguerite of Navarre, and eventually found a home in the emerging Protestant church. Her “country” was the small kingdom of Navarre, situated in the Pyrenees, between the superpowers of France and Spain. Both those nations were ruled by Roman Catholic royalty, but they squabbled with each other. Jeanne played the political games necessary to keep control of her turf.

As Jeanne became more familiar with Protestantism, she opened her kingdom to Reformed churches, teachers, and literature. One minister in the area reported back to John Calvin, “Preaching is open—in public. The streets resound to the chanting of the Psalms. Religious books are sold as freely and openly at home.”

At one point, King Philip II of Spain was seeking an alliance with Jeanne. She was newly widowed, and this pact would involve her marriage to Philip’s son. It was politically expedient—her kingdom might be taken by France unless she had Spanish support—but she insisted that the land continue to be open to religious reformers. When Philip rejected that request, Jeanne responded with the words presented above—she would “rely on God” rather than Philip, who reportedly quipped, “This is quite too much of a woman to have as a daughter-in-law.”

Consider those moments in your life when you’ve been tempted to compromise your values in order to get something you want. Maybe a job promotion requires too much time away from your family. Maybe you tend to tone down your faith as you seek the approval of certain friends. Maybe success in your field means lying or cheating or mistreating others. Your “king of Spain” might take different forms.

How will you respond? You have a small turf to “govern”—your life, your career, your home. Will you stay true to God’s ways? Will you rely on God more than any earthly power?

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

Daniel 3:17