Henry IV, Makers of History

Imbecility of the king.--Haughtiness of the Duke of Guise.--The duke goes to Paris.--Interview with the king.--Two rival courts.--The Swiss guard defeated.--Tumult in the city.-...

Navarre.--Catharine de Foix.--Ferdinand and Isabella.--Dismemberment of Navarre.--Plans for revenge.--Death of Catharine.--Marriage of Henry and Margaret.--Lingering hopes of He...

Henry, King of Poland.--Henry's journey through Germany.--Enmity between the two brothers.--Sickness of Charles IX.--Remorse of the king.--Death of Charles IX.--Chateaubriand.--...

Illustrious French families.--The house of Valois.--Early condition of France.--Clovis.--The Carlovingian dynasty.--Capet and Philip.--Decay of the house of Valois.--House of Gu...

Mayenne professes reconciliation.--Terms exacted by the duke.--Interview between Henry and the duke.--Henry's revenge.--Hostility of Spain and Flanders.--Calais taken by the Lea...

The commencement of the massacre.--The house forced.--Flight of the servants.--Death of Admiral Coligni.--Brutality.--Fate of the Duke of Guise.--Excitement of the Parisians.--F...

Ferocity of the combatants.--Liberality of Henry.--Preparations for a battle.--Striking phenomenon.--The omen.--Manoeuvres.--Night before the battle.--Morning of the battle.--He...

Formation of the league.--Politics in the pulpit.--The League.--Object of the League.--The oath.--Influence of the League.--Its extension.--Vast power of the League.--Alarm of t...

Emotions of Henry.--His military sagacity.--Enthusiasm inspired by Jeanne.--The failure of Catharine.--The second defeat.--The wounded friends.--The reserve force.--Misfortunes...

Advice of the Duke of Sully.--Perplexity of Henry.--Theological argument of Sully.--Philip of Mornay, Lord of Plessis.--Inflexible integrity of Mornay.--Mornay's reply to Henry...

Henry but little acquainted with his parents.--Indecision of Henry.--Hypocrisy of Catharine.--She desires to save Henry.--A significant reply.--Indications of future greatness.-...

The attempted assassination of Coligni.--Escape of the assassin.--Arrival of Henry.--Christian submission of Coligni.--Indignation of Henry.--Artifice of Catharine and Charles.-...