What was the aspect of affairs in Germany and France?
The adroit capture of Bonn by Martin Schenk had given much trouble.

Parma was obliged to detach a strong force; under Prince Chimay, to attempt the recovery of that important place, which--so long as it remained in the power of the States--rendered the whole electorate insecure and a source of danger to the Spanish party.

Farnese endeavoured in vain to win back the famous partizan by most liberal offers, for he felt bitterly the mistake he had made in alienating so formidable a freebooter.

But the truculent Martin remained obdurate and irascible.

Philip, much offended that the news of his decease had proved false, ordered rather than requested the Emperor Rudolph to have a care that nothing was done in Germany to interfere with the great design upon England.