Why does the term 'politiques' refer to Henry IV of France (of Navarre), Elizabeth I, and William of Orange?

Question

LIKE.. WHAT DID THEY DO / WHAT DID THEY BELIEVE THAT MADE THEM POLITIQUES

Answer 1

A politique refers to a head of state who put politics before religion, early examples of those who believed in the separation of church and state.

Henry IV was Protestant, became Catholic, and recognized religious freedom.  Elizabeth I was Protestant, but tolerated Catholics.  William of Orange took the thrown when James II was overthrown and this led to the beginning of the English parliamentary democracy, the beginning of the end of absolute rule by a monarch.