On the other hand, not only were the various politico-religious forces of France kept in equilibrium by their action upon each other--so that it was reasonable to believe that the House of Valois, however Catholic itself, would be always compelled by the fast-expanding strength of French Calvinism, to observe faithfully a compact to tolerate the Netherland churches--but, upon the death of Henry III.

the crown would be legitimately placed upon the head of the great champion and chief of the Huguenots, Henry of Navarre.
It was not unnatural, therefore, that the Prince of Orange, a Calvinist himself, should expect more sympathy with the Netherland reformers in France than in England.

A large proportion of the population of that kingdom, including an influential part of the nobility, was of the Huguenot persuasion, and the religious peace, established by royal edict, had endured so long, that the reformers of France and the Netherlands had begun to believe in the royal clemency, and to confide in the royal word.
Orange did not live to see the actual formation of the Holy League, and could only guess at its secrets.
Moreover, it should be remembered that France at that day was a more formidable state than England, a more dangerous enemy, and, as it was believed, a more efficient protector.

The England of the period, glorious as it was for its own and all future ages, was, not the great British Empire of to-day.

On the contrary, it was what would now be considered, statistically speaking, a rather petty power.