Final answer:
The Edict of Nantes, issued by Henry IV in 1598, recognized the rights of French Protestants and granted them freedom of worship and liberty of conscience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1598 edict issued by Henry IV that recognized the rights of France's Protestants is the Edict of Nantes. This historic declaration established Catholicism as France's official religion but also granted the French Protestants, known as Huguenots, the right to worship and liberty of conscience. The Edict of Nantes was a significant step toward religious toleration in France and helped bring stability to a nation previously torn apart by religious conflict, such as the violent Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre.