ted within six weeks after
the ratification of the articles; that the duke and his retinue should
have the exercise of their religion; that after the marriage he should
bear the title of king, but the administration remain solely in the
queen; that their children, male or female, should succeed to the crown
of England; that if there be two males, the elder, in case of Henry's
death without issue, should be king of France, the younger of England;
that if there be but one male, and he succeed to the crown of France,
he should be obliged to reside in England eight months every two years;
that the laws and customs of England should be preserved inviolate;
and that no foreigner should be promoted by the duke to any office in
England.[**]

* Camden. p. 471.

** Camden, p. 484.

These articles, providing for the security of England in case of its
annexation to the crown of France, opened but a dismal prospect to the
English, had not the age of Elizabeth, who was now in her forty-ninth
year, contributed very much to allay their apprehensions of this nature.
The queen also, as a proof of her still remaining uncertainty, added a
clause, that she was not bound to complete the marriage, till further
articles, which were not specified, should be agreed on between the
parties, and till the king of France be certified of this agreement.
Soon after, the queen sent over Walsingham as ambassador to France, in
order to form closer connections with Henry, and enter into a league
offensive and defensive against the increasing power and dangerous
usurpations of Spain. The French king, who had been extremely disturbed
with the unquiet spirit, the restless ambition, the enterprising, yet
timid and inconstant disposition of Anjou, had already sought to free
the kingdom from his intrigues, by opening a scene for his activity
in Flanders; and having allowed him to embrace the protection of
the states, had secretly supplied him with men and money for the
undertaking. The prospect of settling him in England was for a like
reason very agreeable to that monarch; and he was desirous to cultivate,
by every expedient, the favorable sentiments which Elizabeth seemed to
entertain towards him. But this princess, though she had gone further in
her amorous dalliance[*] than could be justified or accounted for by any
principles of policy, was not yet determined to carry matters to a
final conclusion; and she confined Walsingham, in his instructio