League

The Grey League [lia grischa]. 15th century. So called from the grey homespun dress adopted by the leaguers.

The Holy League. Several leagues are so denominated. The three following are the most important: 1511, by Pope Julius II.: Ferdinand the Catholic. Henry VIII., the Venetians, and the Swiss against Louis XII.; and that of 1576, founded at Péronne for the maintenance of the Catholic faith and the exclusion of Protestant princes from the throne of France. This league was organised by the Guises to keep Henri IV. from the throne.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.