An exploration of the different strands of political thought on the nature of the ancient French constitution and the foundation of royal authority as expressed by and promoted by the antagonists among the clergy, political thinkers, members of the Parlement and radical preachers in Paris. Louis D'Orleans as the foremost polemicist of the Santee Ligue, is the focal point for the examination and evolution of the clash of ideas and the eventual emergence of the Politique resolution at the end of the wars of religion and the accession of Henri de Navarre to the Catholic throne.