Richelieu's position less strong than it afterwards became. He has to make great allowances for the King's humour 74 Dec. French attack upon the Spanish garrisons in the Valtelline 75 1625 Failure of Mansfeld's expedition intended by James Jan.-June to recover the Palatinate 76 Jan. Richelieu's plans for engaging more deeply in the war frustrated by the rising of the Huguenots of Rochelle 77 Sept. The Huguenot fleet is defeated, but Rochelle holds out 77 CHAPTER V. INTERVENTION OF THE KING OF DENMARK. SECTION I.--_Christian IV. and Gustavus Adolphus (1624)._ Character and position of Christian IV., King of Denmark 78 Genius of Gustavus Adolphus 79 Sketch of the earlier part of his reign 80 His interest in German affairs 82 SECTION II.--_English Diplomacy (August 1624-July 1625)._ 1624 The Kings of Denmark and Sweden asked by James Aug. I. to join him in recovering the Palatinate 84 1625 The English Government, thinking the demands of Jan. Gustavus exorbitant, forms an alliance with Christian IV. 85 June _Meeting of the first Parliament of Charles I._ June Gustavus directs his forces against Poland 86 Mar. 27. Death of James I. Accession of Charles I. 86 July 18. Christian IV., at the head of the Circle of Lower Saxony, enters upon war with the army of the League commanded by Tilly 87 Aug. _Dissolution of the first Parliament of Charles I._ SECTION III.--_Wallenstein's Armament (July 1625-February 1626)._ The Emperor needs more forces 87 Wallenstein offers to raise an army for him. Account of Wallenstein's early life 89 The system by which the army is to be supported is to be one of forced contributions 90 Oppressive burdens laid thereby on the country 91 Wallenstein enters the dioceses of Magdeburg and Halberstadt, and lies quietly there during the winter 92 1626 Failure of negotiations for peace 93 Feb. SECTION IV.--_Defeat of Mansfeld and Christian IV. (February-August 1626)._