XI.

FROM THE OPENING OF THE COUNCIL OF BASEL TO THE FALL OF TABOR 290-322

(1437-1452.)

Reasons for the meeting of the Council of Basel--More lies of Sigismund--The peasant risings in France and Germany--Bohemian towns in German hands--Meeting of the Council--Arrival of Bohemians in Basel--Rokycana and Peter Payne--Policy of Cardinal Cesarini--The first meeting--Procop and Cesarini--Rokycana on “the Cup”--Difference of Rokycana from his colleagues--Peter Payne--The English opposition--Cesarini sows division among the Utraquists--End of the first stage of the discussion--Growing differences--Rokycana and Pr̆zibram--The delegates from Basel--Final struggle between the nobles and Procop--Battle of Lipaný and death of Procop--C̆apek and the Orphans--Meinhard of Neuhaus--Negotiations with Sigismund--The “Compacts of Basel”--Election of Rokycana to the Archbishopric--Restoration of Sigismund--His new treacheries--Flight of Rokycana--Peter Payne as judge--Effect of his decision--Revolt of Rohac--Sigismund’s retirement and death--Struggle between Albert of Austria and Ladislaus of Poland--Acceptance of Albert’s son Ladislaus as King of Bohemia--Meinhard and Ptac̆ek--New discussions between Calixtines and Taborites--Last appearance of Peter Payne--Story of his imprisonment and ransom--Rise of George of Podĕbrad--Treachery of the Basel delegate--Capture of Prague and death of Meinhard--George’s policy--Opposition and fall of Tabor.