Note 1502 — Chapter XV

“He appeared at all hours near his majesty’s chair upon the same terms as the lords who had never left the court” (C. S. P. Ven., No. 576, September 15, 1570). Coligny first became a member of the conseil du roi at this time (Soldan, Vor d. St. Barthloomäusnacht, 39). Blois was practically the capital of France at this time. Paris was avoided both to save creating suspicion among the Huguenots and because of its Guisard sympathies. “He would change from white to black the moment he was in Paris” said Walsingham of the King. Capefigue, Hist. de la réforme, III, 92, points out Blois was “le siège naturel d’un gouvernement qui voulait s’éloigner du catholocisme fervent. Placé à quelques lieues d’Orleans, donnant la main à la Rochelle, et par la Rochelle, se liant au Poitou, à la Saintonge, au Béarn.”