The significance of the Edict of Nantes in religious freedom was its establishment of tolerance for Protestants in predominantly Catholic France. Issued in 1598 by King Henry IV, the edict granted Huguenots the right to worship freely and hold public office, effectively ending the French Wars of Religion. It represented a landmark moment in the struggle for religious liberty and coexistence. Although later revoked in 1685, the Edict is often cited as an early example of state-sponsored religious tolerance, influencing future discussions on religious rights in Europe.