In Italy itself and in Catholic Europe Philip did not find the harmony and support for which he looked.

The republic of Venice was quietly but certainly well disposed towards France, and determined to live on good terms with a King of France, a friend of Protestants or even himself Protestant.

And what hurt Philip II.

still more was, that Pope Sixtus V.himself, though all the while upholding the unity and authority of the Roman church, was bent upon not submitting to the yoke of Spain, and upon showing a favorable disposition towards France.

"France is a very noble kingdom," he said to the Venetian ambassador Gritti; "the church has always obtained great advantages from her.