Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/28

 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 52. them, as yet unsuspected, was Eobert Ridolfi, a Floren- tine banker, who, unknown to every one, was the agent of the Pope in London. He had pushed himself into private communication with the leaders of all parties from Cecil to Leonard Dacres, and he now made him- self the instrument through whom all who wished it corresponded with Don Guerau. The foreign relations of England were becoming every hour more threatening. As soon as the news of the seizure reached Spain English ships were arrested in the Peninsula as they had been in Flanders. Not- withstanding the hesitation of La Mothe Fenelon Catherine de Medici followed the example, in retaliation for the countenance to Chatillon and to Conde's pri- vateers. The vessels trading at Havre and Bordeaux were forbidden to leave the harbours, and trade with France was closed except at the few ports which were held by the Huguenots. On the side of England there was no flinching. Spain and France together could not send a fleet into the Channel able to encounter Portault, Champernowne, and Hawkins ; and in the value of property already seized Elizabeth had enorm- ously the advantage. The balance in her favour was increased daily by the prizes which were brought into her ports ; 1 and Alva, as his anger cooled, began to 1 In addition to this advantage, the outstanding debts of the English merchants were large, and, of course, while the breach continued would not be paid. ' It is thought they will repent,' Cecil wrote, ' for Eng- land oweth in Antwerp ioo,ooo/. more than it hath, and I think great riches is now in our ports.' Cecil to Sir H. Sidney, January 6, 1569: MSS. Ireland.