a different gate, meeting far less resistance than Lorraine, he largely remained in the suburbs. Montmorency wrote to Montpensier opining his fears that these moves were a prelude to a Guisard attempt to seize the capital, however there is little evidence of any plan to do this. Aumale and his brother Elbeuf tried to establish a ligue of anti-Montmorency nobles in the provinces. They elicited oaths from nobles swearing to 'avenge the killers of the duke to the fourth generation' however none of this support provided material aid to their cause. These ligues should not be confused with the later Catholic ligue, the target was not Protestantism but rather the house of Montmorency. In January 1566 while the court was staying at Moulins Lorraine warned that Aumale would seek to take Coligny's life, irrespective of a decision by the council. However later in his time at Moulins the eldest Guise brother Lorraine was forced by the king to exchange the kiss of peace with Coligny, Aumale for his part refused to acknowledge the Admiral. Second war of religion With civil war resumed in 1567 after the failure of the Protestant Surprise of Meaux, Aumale was again tasked with defending the frontier against attempts to reinforce Condé's army, which was investing Paris, with German reiters. That December the main royal army broke out of Paris under the command of the Constable Montmorency. In the battle of Saint Denis his forces bested those of Condé, however he himself was killed on the field. The office of Constable was now vacant and with it overall command of the royal army. The Guise family pushed for Aumale to be named as the new Constable, while the Montmorency pushed for Marshal Montmorency to receive the post. Neither would be successful, the crown little desiring to see such an important office held outside the royal family again, instead Anjou was made lieutenant-general of the kingdom, giving him equivalent authority over the army. While these disputes were ongoing, none of the crowns forces were able to stop the juncture of Condé and the reiters in December, the Prince having fled eastwards with his forcewards after the bruising but small engagement. By early 1568, the drive of the war had diminished, and the king's council moved towards peace. Lorraine for his part was keen to send Aumale to Scotland, to liberate Mary, Queen of Scots and secure the