had laid the blame upon him, and described the massacre as a
result of the old quarrel between Guise and Chatillon. This was not
to be borne, and another explanation was speedily devised. It was now
stated that a Protestant conspiracy had been discovered, and happily
crushed in time by a prompt effort in self-defence. This was
suggested by the threatening attitude assumed by Coligny's friends in
order to compel punishment for the attempt on his life. Both theories
were adopted in dealing with England and the German princes. Whilst
orders went forth to the local authorities all over France to imitate
the example of the capital, every effort was made to avert a breach
with the Protestant Powers.

These efforts were so successful that Elizabeth stood godmother to the
daughter of Charles IX, while his brother, Henry of Anjou, was elected
King of Poland by a union of parties, although his share in the
slaughter was notorious. This idea soon became preponderant; and when
provincial governors neglected or refused to obey the sanguinary
commands, nothing was done to enforce them. The actual massacre was a
momentary resolve: it was not a change of front.

The premeditation of St. Bartholomew has been a favourite controversy,
like the Casket Letters; but the problem is entirely solved, although
French writers, such as Guizot and Bordier, believe in it; and the
Germans, especially Baumgarten and Philippson, deny it. It is
perfectly certain that it was not a thing long and carefully prepared,
as was believed in Rome, and those who deny premeditation in the
common sense of the word are in the right. But for ten years the
court had regarded a wholesale massacre as the last resource of
monarchy. Catharine herself said that it had been in contemplation,
if opportunity offered, from the year 1562. Initiated observers
expected it from that time; and after the conference with Alva at
Bayonne, in 1565, it was universally considered probable that some of
the leaders, at least, would be betrayed and killed. Two cardinals,
Santa Croce and Alessandrina, announced it at Rome, and were not
believed. In 1569 Catharine admitted that she had offered 50,000
crowns for the head of Coligny, and corresponding sums for others.
The Archbishop of Nazareth reported to the Pope in the autumn of 1570
that the Treaty of St. Germain had been concluded with the intention
of slaughtering the Protestants when they were beguiled by the
favourable c