CHAPTER II.

THE BOHEMIAN REVOLUTION.

SECTION I.--_The House of Austria and its Subjects_ (1600-1618).

Political and religious dissensions between the rulers and their subjects 24

1609 The Emperor Rudolph, as King of Bohemia, grants the Royal Charter to Bohemia 25

1611 He is succeeded by Matthias in spite of the intrigues of Christian of Anhalt 26

Matthias evades the charter 27

1617 Ferdinand accepted by the Bohemian Diet as King by hereditary right 28

1618 The Protestant churches on ecclesiastical lands declared illegal by the government of Matthias; one at Braunau shut up, one at Klostergrab pulled down 29

SECTION II.--_The Revolution at Prague_ (March-May 1618).

Mar. 5. Meeting of the Protestant Estates of Bohemia 29

May 23. Attack headed by Thurn upon the Regents at Prague. Martinitz and Slawata thrown out of window. Beginning of the Thirty Years' War 30

Appointment of Thirty Directors as a Revolutionary Government in Bohemia 31

SECTION III.--_The War in Bohemia (May 1618-February 1619)._

Aug. 13. Bohemia invaded by the Emperor's general, Bucquoi.

The Bohemians look abroad for help. Mansfeld brings troops to them. He besieges Pilsen, whilst Thurn makes head against Bucquoi 33

Nov. 21. Pilsen surrenders 34

Christian of Anhalt urges Frederick V., Elector Palatine, to intervene on behalf of the Bohemians, and asks the Duke of Savoy to help them 34

1619 The Duke of Savoy talks of dividing the Austrian Feb. dominions with Frederick 35

SECTION IV.--_Ferdinand on his Defence (March-November 1619)._

Mar. 20. Death of Matthias 36

June 5. Vienna besieged by Thurn. Ferdinand threatened by a deputation from the Estates of Lower Austria 36

He is delivered by a regiment of horse, and Thurn raises the siege 37

Aug. 28. Ferdinand II. elected Emperor 38

Aug. 26. Frederick, Elector Palatine, elected King of Bohemia, Ferdinand having been previously deposed 38

Nov. 4. Frederick Crowned at Prague 39