Note 1656 — Chapter XVII

Catherine risked a Protestant uprising in order to sate her vengeance upon the man who had slain Henry II. The Venetian ambassador, however, conjectured that there was more of policy than of revenge in the act. “It was certainly more to please the Parisians from whom she hoped to have efficient aid than for any other reason that she had Montgomery put to death.”—C. S. P. Ven., No. 588, May 20, No. 597, June, 1574. Matignon was made a marshal of France as his reward (ibid., For., No. 176, June 13, 1575). For particulars of Montgomery’s execution see Arch. cur., VIII, 223 ff.; and the Discours de la mort et execution de Gabriel comte de Montgommery, par arrest de la court, pour les conspirations par luy commises contre le roy, Lyon: Benoist Rigaud, 1574.