Page:Margaret of Angoulême, Queen of Navarre (Robinson 1886).djvu/112

Rh moment of the Reformation, because Margaret never outgrew it; and was condemned as an apostate by the later Protestants, who had advanced, merely for standing still. On the other hand, exasperated by the growth of heresy, the Court receded from its tolerant position. So that Margaret, who at this moment touches Calvin, as it were, on one hand, and the Court on the other, is gradually left at equal distance from either, suspected on both sides of half-heartedness and heresy.

This is indeed the climax of her influence, the most brilliant moment of her career. From among her servants and her masters are sought the staff of the College of France. Toussaint and Danès had taught her a little Greek; it is said that Paul Paradis had given her lessons in Hebrew. Henri Estienne was under her protection, no less than Vatable, Lascaris, and Aleander. Marot, the Lutheran poet, her valet-de-chambre, is entrusted to rewrite in modern French the ancient masterpieces of the quickly-growing language. She is the centre of the movement; the King himself is under her influence. The Sorbonne, made keen by hate and fear, raises its threatening head, observes, and considers how to strike.

To strike was only self-preservation, so bold and rapid became the impulse towards reform. In December 1530, the Protestant princes of Germany entered into a league, and signed the Treaty of Smalcald. England was on the point of actual revolt from the Roman sway, and France seemed like to do as much. The Emperor no less than the Sorbonne dreaded lest Francis should join the Protestant league. For the new ideas received every encouragement in Paris, and in September 1531 it seemed as if the last,