442 OBSERVATIONS ON A LIBEL. 



the occasions of intestine troubles, whereunto that 

 nation hath been ever subject, she hath performed 

 unto the king all possible good offices, and such as 

 he doth with all good affection acknowledge. 



The same house of Guise, under colour of alli 

 ance, during the reign of Francis the Second, and by 

 the support and practice of the queen-mother ; who, 

 desiring to retain the regency under her own hands 

 during the minority of Charles the Ninth, used those 

 of Guise as a counterpoise to the princes of the 

 blood, obtained also great authority in the kingdom 

 of France : whereupon, having raised and moved 

 civil wars under pretence of religion, but indeed to 

 enfeeble and depress the ancient nobility of that 

 realm ; the contrary part, being compounded of the 

 blood-royal and the greatest officers of the crown, 

 opposed themselves only against their insolency; 

 and to their aids called in her majesty s forces, giving 

 them for security the town of Newhaven ; which, 

 nevertheless, when as afterwards, having by the re 

 putation of her majesty s confederation made their 

 peace in effect as they would themselves, they would, 

 without observing any conditions that had passed, 

 have had it back again ; then indeed, it was held by 

 force, and so had been long, but for the great mor 

 tality which it pleased God to send amongst our men. 

 After which time, so far was her majesty from seek 

 ing to sow or kindle new troubles, as continually, by 

 the solicitation of her ambassadors, she still per 

 suaded the kings, both Charles IX. and Henry III. 

 to keep and observe their edicts of pacification, and 



