With regard to England, also, the conduct of Henry and his mother in these negotiations was marked by the same unfathomable duplicity.  There was an appearance of cordiality on the surface; but there was deep plotting, and bargaining, and even deadly hostility lurking below.  We have seen the efforts which Elizabeth’s government had been making to counteract the policy which offered the sovereignty of the provinces to the French monarch.  At the same time there was at least a loyal disposition upon the Queen’s part to assist the Netherlands, in concurrence with Henry.  The demeanour of Burghley and his colleagues was frankness itself, compared with the secret schemings of the Valois; for at least peace and good-will between the “triumvirate” of France, England and the Netherlands, was intended, as the true means of resisting the predominant influence of Spain.

Yet very soon after the solemn reception by Henry of the garter brought by Lord Derby, and in the midst of the negotiations between the French court and the United Provinces, the French king was not only attempting to barter the sovereignty offered him by the Netherlanders against a handsome recompense for the Portugal claim, but he was actually proposing to the King of Spain to join with him in an invasion of England!  Even Philip himself must have admired and respected such a complication of villany on the part of his most Christian brother.  He was, however, not disposed to put any confidence in his schemes.

“With regard to the attempt against England,” wrote Philip to Mendoza, “you must keep your eyes open—­you must look at the danger of letting them, before they have got rid of their rivals and reduced their heretics, go out of their own house and kingdom, and thus of being made fools of when they think of coming back again.  Let them first exterminate the heretics of France, and then we will look after those of England; because ’tis more important to finish those who are near than those afar off.  Perhaps the Queen-Mother proposes this invasion in order to proceed more feebly with matters in her own kingdom; and thus Mucio (Duke of Guise) and his friends will not have so safe a game, and must take heed lest they be deceived.”

Thus it is obvious that Henry and Catharine intended, on the whole, to deceive the English and the Netherlanders, and to get as good a bargain and as safe a friendship from Philip as could be manufactured out of the materials placed in the French King’s hands by the United Provinces.  Elizabeth honestly wished well to the States, but allowed Burghley and those who acted with him to flatter themselves with the chimera that Henry could be induced to protect the Netherlands without assuming the sovereignty of that commonwealth.  The Provinces were fighting for their existence, unconscious of their latent strength, and willing to trust to France or to England, if they could only save themselves from being swallowed by Spain.  As for Spain itself, that country was more practised in duplicity even than the government of the Medici-Valois, and was of course more than a match at the game of deception for the franker politicians of England and Holland.