The LEAGUE, by way of eminence, denotes that famous one on foot in France, from the year 1576 to 1593. Its intent was to prevent the succession of Henry IV. who was of the reformed religion, to the crown; and it ended with his abjuration of that faith.
The leaguers, or confederates, were of three kinds. The zealous leaguers aimed at the utter destruction, not only of the Huguenots, but also of the ministry. The Spanish leaguers had principally in view the transferring the crown of France to the king of Spain, or the infant his daughter. The moderate leaguers aimed only at the extirpation of Calvinism, without any alteration of the government.