Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/743

 The Wars of Religion 637 Henry III was driven weakly from one party to the other, warofthe and it finally came to a war between the three Henrys — HeSys, Henry IH, Henry of Navarre, and Henry of Guise (i 585-1 589). 1585-1589 It ended in a way characteristic of the times. Henry the king had Henry of Guise assassinated. The sympathizers of the «=:»» ',v..»"JC»jl Fig. 220. Henry IV of France This spirited portrait of Henry of Navarre gives an excellent impression of his geniality and good sense League then assassinated Henry the king, which left the field to Henry of Navarre. He ascended the throne as Henry IV in 1589 and is an heroic figure in the line of French kings. The new king had many enemies, and his kingdom was Henry iv, r TT 4.^ 4. I589-161O, devastated and demoralized by years of war. He soon saw tnat becomes a he must accept the religion of the majority of his people if he Catholic wished to reign over them. He accordingly asked to be read- mitted to the Catholic Church (1593), excusing himself on the