[420] 'Mirabiliter applaudentibus theologis.'—Sturmius Bucero.
[421] 'Quam non figurate, nec obscure, conviciis suis proscindebant.—Calvini Epp. p. 1.
[422] 'Re ad reginam delata.'—Ibid.
[423] Lettres de la Reine de Navarre, i. p. 58.
[424] 'Indigna prorsus ea muliere.'—Calvini Epp. p. 1.
[425] Calvini Opp. passim.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
TRIUMPH OF THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE.
(Autumn 1533.)
FRANCIS was not at Paris when the storm broke out against his sister. In the summer of 1533, says the chronicle, 'the king visited his states and lordships of Languedoc, and made his triumphal entry into the city of Toulouse.'[426] It was by letter, therefore, that he heard of what was taking place. All were asking what he would do. On the one hand, he had a great affection for the queen; but, on the other, he did not like his tranquillity to be disturbed; he protected learning, but he detested the Gospel. His better self gained the upper hand; his hatred of the absurdities of the monks was aroused; his great susceptibility made him take the affronts offered to his sister as if they had been offered to himself; and one after another he gave Margaret's enemies a forcible lesson.
The first whom he taught his place was Montmorency. When the latter endeavoured to instil his perfidious insinuations into the king's mind, Francis silenced him: 'Not a word more about it,' he said: 'she is too fond of me to take up with any religion that will injure my kingdom.[427] Margaret was informed subsequently of the attempt of the grand-master, 'whom she never liked more,' adds Brantôme.