446 OF THE STATE OF EUROPE. 



woman to wife, and divers great personages in that 

 realm of his house. 



The chiefest at this present in credit in court, 

 whose counsel he useth, are Villeroy, Villaquier, 

 Bellievre, the chancellor and lord keeper, Birague 

 and Chiverny. 



He greatly entertaineth no amity with any prince, 

 other than for form ; neither is his friendship other 

 wise respected of others, save in respect of the re 

 putation of so great a kingdom. 



The pope beareth a great sway, and the king 

 of Spain by means of his pensions; and of the 

 queen-mother with the Guise; she for her two 

 daughters, he for other regard, can do what he list 

 there, or hinder what he would not have done. 



The division in his country for matters of religion 

 and state, through miscontentment of the nobility 

 to see strangers advanced to the greatest charges of 

 the realm, the offices of justice sold, the treasury 

 wasted, the people polled, the country destroyed, 

 hath bred great trouble, and like to see more. The 

 faction between the house of Guise against that of 

 Montmorancy, hath gotten great advantage. 



At this present the king is about to restore Don 

 Antonio, King of Portugal, whereto are great levies 

 and preparation. 



Francis Duke of Anjou and of Brabant, for his 

 calling and quality greatly to be considered as any 

 prince this day living, being second person to the 

 king, his brother, and in likelihood to succeed him. 



