Germany was divided into Catholic states and Protestant states, which had established between themselves relations of an almost pacific character.

Switzerland was entering upon the same course.

In England, Scotland, the Low Countries, the Scandinavian states, and the free towns their neighbors, the Reformation had prevailed or was clearly tending to prevail.

In Italy, Spain, and Portugal, on the contrary, the Reformation had been stifled, and Catholicism remained victorious.

It was in France that, notwithstanding the inequality of forces, the struggle between Catholicism and Protestantism was most obstinately maintained, and appeared for the longest time uncertain.