Protestantism in France From Death of Francis I to Edict of Nantes - James Aitken Wylie

manner of peoples around his standard, but neither
was enthusiastic in his support, nor could strike
other than feeble blows. He had assumed the
crown, but had to conquer the kingdom. The
League, whose soldiers were in possession of Paris,
still held out against him. To have gained the
capital and displayed his standard on its walls
would have been a great matter, but with an army
dwindled down to a few thousands, and the Roman
Catholic portion but half-hearted in his cause,
Henry dared not venture on the siege of Paris.
Making up his mind to go without the prestige of
the capital meanwhile, he retreated with his little
host into Normandy, the army of the League in
overwhelming numbers pressing on his steps and
hemming him in, so that he was compelled to give
battle to them in the neighborhood of Dieppe.
Here, with the waters of the English Channel
behind him, into which the foe hoped to drive him,
God wrought a great deliverance for him. With
only 6,000 soldiers, Henry discomfited the entire
army of the League, 30,000 strong, and won a great
victory. This affair brought substantial advantages
to Henry. It added to his renown in arms, already
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