XV.

FROM THE DEATH OF FERDINAND I. TO THE BEGINNING OF THE REACTION UNDER RUDOLF II. 406-424

(1564-1600.)

Progress of despotism in Bohemia--Ferdinand’s great excuse--The fall of Utraquism--Character and policy of Maximilian--His special difficulties--National feeling of the Brotherhood--Blahoslav and Augusta--Lutheran desire for uniformity--Augusta’s defeat and death--The “Bohemian Confession”--The Conference of 1575--Consequences of its failure--Change of policy and death of Maximilian--Character and tendencies of Rudolf II.--Revival of Art and Science--Use of it by the Jesuits--Struggle of Jesuits with the Brothers--Difficulties of the Brotherhood--The expulsion of the Krajeks and its consequences--Jesuit successes--Resistance of Moravia--Peter Vok von Rosenberg--General character of the struggles.