At this period, the council of Trent was summoned to meet ; but the alarm occasioned in Italy by the war, pre vented most of the Italian prelates from repairing to it on the day appointed, so that the legate and nuncios found it necessary to adjourn to a future day, hoping that such a number would then assemble, as would enable them to begin their deliberations. When that day came, the French ambassador demanded audience, and protested, in his master's name, against an assembly, called at such an improper juncture, when a war, wantonly kindled by the Pope, made it impossible for the deputies from the Galil ean church to resort to Trent in safety, or to deliberate concerning articles of faith and discipline with the requi site tranquillity. He declared, that Henry did not acknow ledge this to be a general oecumenic council, but must consider and would treat it as a particular and partial con vention. The legate, however, affected to despise the protest of the King of France ; the prelates proceeded to determine the great points in controversy ; and the Em peror, by his authority and countenance, endeavoured to establish the competency and jurisdiction of the assembly. It is unnecessary here to particularize the proceedings of the council of Trent. They were so directly against the Protestants, that Maurice of Saxony, and the other Luthe ran princes, who, under the promise of liberty of con science, and other advantages, had been induced to assist the Emperor against the confederates of Smalkalde, were now made sensible that they had been duped by him, and that by their own force alone, could they expect to pre serve the religion which they had embraced, from perse cution and probable ruin. But Maurice, who, from his superior talents, as well as his superior power, took the lead among the Lutheran princes, was fully convinced, by his knowledge of the character of the Emperor, that it would be absolutely necessary to proceed with the utmost degree of circumspection and caution, so as to excite no suspicion, till all his measures were taken, and his scheme was completely ready to be carried into full execution. By his former conduct lie had lost, in a great measure, the good will and confidence of the Protestants. These it was necessary for him to regain ; but while he was regaining them, it was equally desirable and necessary, though still more difficult, to retain the good will and confidence of the Emperor. In the execution of his enterprize he suc ceeded most thoroughly, conducting an intricate plan of policy in such a manner, as to deceive the most artful, experienced, and suspicious prince in Europe. Having negotiated a new confederacy of the Protestants, of which he was appointed the head, it became necessary to strength en that confederacy by every means in his power. With this view, Maurice turned his thoughts to the King of France. There could be no doubt that Henry would most chearfully embrace any plan, the object of which was to curtail the power and influence of the Emperor, provided his religious opinions did not create an objection. These, therefore, it was necessary to consider in the negotiation. It was also necessary for Maurice to anticipate and obviate any scruples or jealousies, which the Protestant princes of Germany might feel on forming an alliance with a prince, who was not only a Catholic, hut who had already persecuted the reformed religion in his dominions. The repugnance and scruples of both parties, however, were overcome by the wisdom and policy of Maurice ; and a treaty was concluded between Henry and the Protestant confederation.
As soon as the preparations of Maurice were completed, and he had assembled his army, amounting to 25,000 men, he published a manifesto, containing his reasons for taking arms ; to secure the Protestant religion ; to maintain the constitution of Germany ; and to deliver the Landgravc of Hesse from his protracted and unjust imprisonment. To this the King of France, in his own name, added a manifesto, in which he assumed the extraordinary appellation of " Pro tector of the liberties of Germany, and its captive princes." As the Emperor was totally unsuspicious of the inten tions, and uninformed of the hostile preparations of the Pro testant confederates, and of Henry, he was not in a condi tion to oppose such formidable enemies. Lorraine was im mediately invaded by the French armies. The young Duke Charles, the nephew of the Emperor, was seized. 'foul, Verdun, and Metz, were occupied. Nor was Charles, even after his first surprize, able to oppose the conquest of Lor raine by the French ; for, while they were thus rapid and successful in this quarter, Maurice marched directly to wards Inspruck, where the Emperor was, hoping to sur prise him in that open town. But in this he was disappoint
ed, as Charles, informed of his danger a few hours before the arrival of the enemy, hastily lied ; nor did he stop till he arrived at Villach in Carinthia.
Charles now found himself under the necessity of divid ing his enemies, in order to save himself from ruin. He accordingly agreed that the king of the Romans should meet Maurice at Passau, where, after considerable delay and difficulty, in the month of July 1552, the memorable treaty of Passau was signed, by which the civil and eccle siastical independence of the German princes was secured. In this treaty, however, the confederates totally overlooked the services of Henry, and the union they had formed xvith him. There appears, indeed, to have been some reason for this forgetfulness of their ally ; since his measures and operations, though undoubtedly such as weakened Charles, seemed too openly directed to his own aggrandizement, even at the expellee of the Germanic empire. For Henry had endeavoured, by artifice, to possess himself of the city of Strasburg)); and had he succeeded in his attempt, the navigation of the Rhine would have fallen into his power. But he was compelled to desist, by the interference of the 'German princes and the Swiss cantons.
As Metz, Toul, and Verdun, which Henry had con quered, formed the barrier of the empire on the side of France, Charles was deeply affected by their loss; and as soon as he had concluded the treaty of Passau, he resolv ed to employ the most vigorous and powerful measures for their recovery. He therefore left his retreat at Villach, and put himself at the head of the forces, which he had as sembled against the c-gnfederates. This army amounted to 60,000 men. At first, in order to conceal his real object, he circulated a report, that he intended to lead it into Hun gary against the Turks ; and when the line of his march unequivocally proved that such was not his intention, he pretended that he was marching, in the first place, to chas tise Albert of Brandenburgh, who had refused to be includ ed in the treaty of Passau. Henry, however, was not de ceived; but guessing at the true object of the emperor's armament, he resolved vigorously to defend his conquests. As it was easy to foresee that the reduction of Metz would be the first object of the emperor, Henry resolved that it should be defended in the best possible manner. He therefore appointed to the command of it Francis of Lorraine, Duke of Guise. No fitter man could possibly have been chosen for this arduous enterprise. lie was full of military ar dour and zeal ; anxious to distinguish himself, and to be classed among the heroes of France; delighting in bold enterprises, and aspiring after fame by splendid and extra ordinary actions. These qualities, however, had they not been united with others more solid and useful, though not so dazzling, would, perhaps, have prevented his sovereign from making choice of him on this occasion. But he was no less distinguished for sagacity and presence of mind, than for zeal and enthusiasm. To this nobleman the de fence of Metz was intrusted ; and he received the com mission with joy. His zeal and enthusiasm were hardly necessary to induce many others of the French nobility to offer their services, so that Metz soon saw within its walls some of the best blood of France, which, if necessary, would be most chearfully shed to preserve it to the French king dom. As soon as the Duke of Guise entered the place, he carefully examined it: it was of great extent, ill fortified, and the suburbs large. These defects, therefore, it was absolutely necessary immediately to remedy. For this pur pose, the Duke ordered the old fortifications to be repaired with all possible expedition, even assisting and animating the labourers by his example. The officers and soldiers thus encouraged, chearfully submitted to the most severe toil. After repairing the old fortifications, the Duke di rected his skill to the erection of new ones. The suburbs were levelled to the ground, in order that they might not favour or protect the approaches of the enemy ; and with a similar object in view, he gave orders that the country, for several miles round, should be laid waste. At the same time, he filled the magazines with provisions and military stores, and compelled all useless persons to leave the place; yet such were his popular talents, and his power of ac quiring an ascendency over the minds of men, that the citizens not only refrained from murmuring, but seconded him, with no less ardour than his soldiers, in all his ope rations, even in the ruin of their estates, and in the de struction of their public and private buildings.