Four months later he heard of the death of his brother, Charles IX, making him king of France.

Without daring to ask leave of absence, he absconded from Poland on June 18, thereby abandoning a throne which was promptly declared vacant.
The new election presented great difficulties, and {144} almost led to civil war.

While the Senate declared for the Hapsburg Maximilian II, the Diet chose Stephen Bathory, prince of Transylvania.

[Sidenote: Stephen Bathory, 1576-86] Only the unexpected death of Maximilian prevented an armed collision between the two.

Bathory, now in possession, forced his recognition by all parties and led the land of his adoption into a period of highly successful diplomacy and of victorious war against Muscovy.