When appointed ambassador to France in 1570, one of Walshingham's duties was to continue negotiations for a marriage between Elizabeth and Charles IX's younger brother Henry, Duke of Anjou. The marriage plan was eventually dropped on the grounds of Henry's Catholicism. A substitute match with the next youngest brother, Francis, Duke of Alençon, was proposed but Walsingham considered him ugly and "void of a good humour". Elizabeth was 20 years older than Alençon, and was concerned that the age difference would be seen as absurd. Eventually, a simple treaty of defense between England and France took the place of a marriage alliance, and Elizabeth remained unwed. Wing D1453.