The marriage of the prince (June 24) with Charlotte de Bourbon, daughter of the Duke of Montpensier, was a daring step which aroused much prejudice against him.

The bride, who was of the blood-royal of France, had been Abbess of Jouarre, but had abjured her vows, run away and become a Calvinist.

This was bad enough, but the legality of the union was rendered the more questionable by the fact that Anne of Saxony was still alive.

On all sides came protests--from Charlotte's father, from John of Nassau, and from Anne's relations in Saxony and Hesse.

But William's character was such that opposition only made him more determined to carry out his purpose.