England was a weak power.

Ireland was at her side in a state of chronic rebellion--a stepping-stone for Spain in its already foreshadowed invasion.

Scotland was at her back with a strong party of Catholics, stipendiaries of Philip, encouraged by the Guises and periodically inflamed to enthusiasm by the hope of rescuing Mary Stuart from her imprisonment, bringing her rival's head to the block, and elevating the long-suffering martyr upon the throne of all the British Islands.

And in the midst of England itself, conspiracies were weaving every day.

The mortal duel between the two queens was slowly approaching its termination.