Holy League (The)

A combination formed by Pope Julius II. with Louis XII. of France, Maximilian of Germany, Ferdinand III. of Spain, and various Italian princes, against the republic of Venice in 1508.

There was another league so called in the reign of Henri III. of France, in 1576, under the auspices of Henri de Guise, “for the defence of the Holy Catholic Church against the encroachments of the reformers.” The Pope gave it his sanction, but its true strength lay in Felipe II. of Spain.