His true external policy was much more real and practical.

He had seen and experienced the evils of religious hatred and persecution.

He had been a great sufferer from the supremacy of the house of Austria in Europe, and he had for a long while opposed it.

When he became the most puissant and most regarded of European kings, he set his heart very strongly on two things--toleration for the three religions which had succeeded in establishing themselves in Europe and showing themselves capable of contending one against another, and the abasement of the house of Austria, which, even after the death of Charles V.and of Philip II., remained the real and the formidable rival of France.

The external policy of Henry from the treaty of Vervins to his death, was religious peace in Europe and the alliance of Catholic France with Protestant England and Germany against Spain and Austria.