Holy League
a league, founded in 1576, to prevent Henry of Navarre, who at the time was a Protestant, from ascending the French throne. At his becoming a Roman Catholic, in 1593, the league was dissolved and he became king under the title of Henry IV. The name was also given to a combination formed in 1508 by Pope Julius II. with Louis XII. of France, Maximilian of Germany, Ferdinand III. of Spain, and some Italian princes, against Venice.