tem of policy, which comprehended the chief powers of
Christendom. Spain, which had hitherto been almost entirely occupied
within herself, now became formidable by the union of Arragon and
Castile in the persons of Ferdinand and Isabella, who, being princes
of great capacity, employed their force in enterprises the most
advantageous to their combined monarchy. The conquest of Granada from
the Moors was then undertaken, and brought near to a happy conclusion.
And in that expedition the military genius of Spain was revived; honor
and security were attained; and her princes, no longer kept in awe by a
domestic enemy so dangerous, began to enter into all the transactions of
Europe, and make a great figure in every war and negotiation.

Maximilian, king of the Romans, son of the emperor Frederick, had, by
his marriage with the heiress of Burgundy, acquired an interest in
the Netherlands; and though the death of his consort had weakened his
connections with that country, he still pretended to the government
as tutor to his son Philip, and his authority had been acknowledged
by Brabant, Holland, and several of the provinces. But as Flanders and
Hainault still refused to submit to his regency, and even appointed
other tutors to Philip, he had been engaged in long wars against that
obstinate people, and never was able thoroughly to subdue their spirit.
That he might free himself from the opposition of France, he had
concluded a peace with Lewis XI., and had given his daughter Margaret,
then an infant, in marriage to the dauphin; together with Artois,
Franche Compte, and Charolois, as her dowry. But this alliance had
not produced the desired effect. The dauphin succeeded to the crown of
France by the appellation of Charles VIII.; but Maximilian still found
the mutinies of the Flemings fomented by the intrigues of the court of
France.

France, during the two preceding reigns, had made a mighty increase in
power and greatness; and had not other states of Europe at the same time
received an accession of force, it had been impossible to have retained
her within her ancient boundaries. Most of the great fiefs, Normandy,
Champagne, Anjou, Dauphny, Guienne, Provence, and Burgundy, had
been united to the crown; the English had been expelled from all their
conquests; the authority of the prince had been raised to such a height
as enabled him to maintain law and order; a considerable military force
was kept on foot, and the finances were