[1] France at di|uision in it selfe by ciuill warres.The realme of France being in great trouble a|bout this season, by the means of ciuill dissention and warres that rose betwixt the house of Guise and o|ther of that faction vpon the one side, and the prince of Conde and other that tooke part with him on the contrarie side: the quéenes maiestie informed how that the duke of Guise and his partakers hauing got into their possession the person of the yoong king, vn|der pretext of his authoritie, sought the subuersion of manie noble men and good subiects of the crowne of France,The quéenes maiesties mis|trust of incon|uenience, and the same re|medied. namelie such as were knowne or suspected to be zealous for a reformation to be had in matters of religion: hir maiestie thervpon considering, that if their purpose might be brought to effect, it was to be doubted that they would not so rest, but séeke to set things in broile also within this hir realme of England, and other countries néere to them adioi|ning: first as one that had euer wished quietnesse, rather than the troubles of warre,Sir Henrie Sidneie sent ambassador into France. sent ouer sir Hen|rie Sidneie at that present lord president of Wales (a man of such estimation as his word ought to haue deserued credit) to trie if he might doo anie good to bring the parties to some attonement. But such wil|full headinesse séemed to rest in some that were chiefe of the one faction, that their desire seemed altogither bent to enter into wars. Hir maiestie yet hoping the best,An other am|bassage in Iu|lie directed in|to France. appointed to send another honourable ambas|sage, which by their wisedoms and good aduise might persuade the parties vnto concord, whereby all due authoritie, honor, & dignitie might be restored to the king, and euerie other degree keepe their roomes and places as to them apperteined, but all in vaine. For this motion of a pacification to be had could take no place, neither might the will of the yoong king, or of his timorous mother, as it then seemed, be regarded, otherwise than as stood with the pleasure & appoint|ment of those that were knowne to be the chiefe au|thors and furtherers of all those troubles.