own aggrandisement, is a figure which shows at any rate something of patriotism and of policy, among the heartless dissensions of ambitious brigand chiefs. CHAPTER VI THE AGGRANDISEMENT OF FRANCE Foreign policy of Richelieu--Territorial aggrandisement--Questions of the Valtelline and the Mantuan Succession--Intrigues of Richelieu in Germany--Interference of France in the Thirty Years’ War--Alteration of the character of the war--Unsuccessful operations of France--Conquest of Alsace--Revolt of Portugal and Catalonia--Position of France at the death of Richelieu--Policy of Mazarin--Battle of Rocroy--Conquest of the Upper Rhineland--Campaign of Turenne--Negotiations for peace--The peace of Westphalia--The solution of the religious difficulty--The beginning of modern Europe--Permanent advance of France--Desperate condition of Spain--Outbreak of the Fronde--Alliance of Mazarin and Cromwell--The peace of the Pyrenees. [Sidenote: =Foreign policy of Richelieu.=] When Richelieu in 1624 took the reins of government into his hands in France, the Thirty Years’ War was just about to envelope the whole of Germany in its fell embraces. The princes of the lower Saxon circle had begun to arm, the king of Denmark was about to take the lead of the Protestant forces, England had already taken active steps for the recovery of the Palatinate, and the reduction of the power of Spain. There was every probability that the whole energies of the Austro-Spanish House would be absorbed in the affairs of Germany for many years. The necessity of Spain and the Empire was ever in the seventeenth century the opportunity of France, and Richelieu realised by a flash of genius that the hour had arrived, which was to make or mar the influence of France in the world. Three things were necessary to the establishment of French supremacy in Europe, national unity, monarchical centralisation, and the extension and security of the frontiers. To attain these three objects, Richelieu devoted his life, and he was sensible enough to see that complete success in foreign affairs must do much to render success in the other two inevitable. If the crown of France by military and diplomatic conquest could push back the French frontier towards the Rhine, the Scheldt, and the Pyrenees, it need have little to fear from its internal foes. So Richelieu took up again the threads of policy, which had dropped from the lifeless hands of Henry IV., and directed all his energies to the resumption of the attack upon the Empire and upon Spain. But there was this difference between the two men. Henry IV. had dreamed of establishing the peace and good order of the world upon the ruin of the Habsburgs. Richelieu cherished no such illusions. Nakedly and avowedly he sought but the supremacy of France. [Sidenote: =Its character.=]