053) was a source of profit to both nations.

Inevitably Henry's sympathies went out to the sore-pressed republic.

They were none the less strong because the chief of the spoilers was France, for Henry and his people were imbued with an inborn antipathy to everything French.[97] Before he came to the throne he was reported to be France's enemy; and speculations were rife as to the chances of his invading it and imitating the exploits of his ancestor Henry V.It needed no persuasion from Ferdinand to induce him to intervene in favour of Venice.

Within a few weeks of his accession he refused to publish the papal bull which cast the halo of crusaders over the bandits of Cambrai.

The day after his coronation he deplored to Badoer Louis' victory at Agnadello, and a week later he wrote to the sovereigns of Europe urging the injustice of their Venetian crusade.