The archduke Philip, in particular, desired an interview with him; and Henry, who had passed over to Calais, agreed to meet him in St.Peter's church, near that city.

The archduke, on his approaching the king, made haste to alight, and offered to hold Henry's stirrup; a mark of condescension which that prince would not admit of.

He called the king "father," "patron," "protector;" and by his whole behavior expressed a strong desire of conciliating the friendship of England.

The duke of Orleans had succeeded to the crown of France by the appellation of Lewis XII.; and having carried his arms into Italy, and subdued the duchy of Milan, his progress begat jealousy in Maximilian, Philip's father, as well as in Ferdinand, his father-in-law.

By the counsel, therefore, of these monarchs, the young prince endeavored by every art to acquire the amity of Henry, whom they regarded as the chief counterpoise to the greatness of France.