At that time, the Europeans could rely on the fury of the Church and their belief in the Almighty.
Now? Europe believes in a nice hot cup of Latte’...
I thought GKC's point was that the latte you have always with you. You had Elizabeth I, looking in the glass; you had the fruity, perfumed French court that refused to do anything; I honestly have no idea where the Germans were. So it was down to Spain, Austria, Venice, and the Papal States, period, to defend civilization.
I agree with you that Europe looks even more pathetic today. But look at UKIP, Le Pen, the Germans saying "Auslander, raus!" and the Swedish right.
Oremus. Let the lion awake, there and here.