But Elizabeth had already countenanced that step by assisting the rebellion against Philip.

To allow the rebels to transfer their obedience from the King of Spain to herself was only another step in the same direction.

The Queen, should she annex the Provinces, would certainly be accused by the world of ambition; but the ambition was a noble one, if, by thus consenting to the urgent solicitations of a free people, she extended the region of civil and religious liberty, and raised up a permanent bulwark against sacerdotal and royal absolutism.
A war between herself and Spain was inevitable if she accepted the sovereignty, but peace had been already rendered impossible by the treaty of alliance.

It is true that the Queen imagined the possibility of combining her engagements towards the States with a conciliatory attitude towards their ancient master, but it was here that she committed the gravest error.

The negotiations of Parma and his sovereign with the English court were a masterpiece of deceit on the part of Spain.