Where she did not command as sovereign, she was almost equally formidable as an ally.

The Emperor of Germany was the nephew and the brother-in-law of Philip, and a strict Catholic besides.

Little aid was to be expected from him or the lands under his control for the cause of the Netherland revolt.

Rudolph hated his brother-in-law, but lived in mortal fear of him.

He was also in perpetual dread of the Grand Turk.