CHAPTER X.

THE PREPONDERANCE OF FRANCE.

SECTION I.--_Open Intervention of France (May 1635)._

1635 Protestantism not out of danger 189

May Close alliance of some of the Princes with France 190

Importance of the possession of Alsace and Lorraine 191

May 19. France declares war against Spain 192

SECTION II.--_Spanish Successes (May 1635-December 1637)._

1635 Failure of the French attack on the Spanish Netherlands 192

1636 Spanish invasion of France 193

Oct. 4. Baner's victory at Wittstock 194

1637 Death of Ferdinand II. Accession of Ferdinand III. 194 Feb. 15.

Imperialist success in Germany 195

SECTION III.--_The Struggle for Alsace (January 1638-July 1639)._

1638 Bernhard's victories in the Breisgau and Alsace 195

July 8. Death of Bernhard 196

SECTION IV.--_French Successes (July 1639-Dec. 1642)._

French maritime successes 197

1639 Spanish fleet taking refuge in the Downs 198

It is destroyed by the Dutch 198

1640 Insurrection of Catalonia 199

Nov. Independence of Portugal 200

1641 Defeat of the Imperialists at Wolfenbüttel 201

1642 Defeat of the Imperialists at Kempten 201

Aug. _Charles I. sets up his standard. Beginning of the English Civil War_

Dec. 4. Death of Richelieu 201

SECTION V.--_Aims and Character of Richelieu (December 1642-May 1643)._

Richelieu's domestic policy 201

Contrast between France and England 202

Richelieu's foreign policy 203

1643 Moderation of his aims 204

May 14. Death of Lewis XIII 205

SECTION VI.--_More French Victories (May 1643--August 1645)._

1643 Rule of Cardinal Mazarin 205

May 19. Enghien defeats the Spaniards at Rocroy 206

The French kept in check in Germany 207

1644 Enghien and Turenne. Battle of Freiburg 208

July _Battle of Marston Moor_

1645 Second Battle of Nördlingen 208 Aug. 3.

Mar. 6. Swedish victory at Jankow 209