XVII.

FROM THE DEATH OF RUDOLF II. TO THE BATTLE OF THE WHITE HILL 454-482

(1612-1620.)

Matthias’s difficulties--Policy of Z̆erotin--Erasmus von Tschernembl--His differences with Z̆erotin--Z̆erotin and Khlesl--Relations of Bohemia to Moravia and Silesia--Policy of Khlesl--The Transylvanian question--Khlesl worsted by Z̆erotin--Election of Matthias as Emperor and its results--The nobles and the towns--Results of their quarrels--The provincial question again--“Hapsburgs or no Hapsburgs?”--New persecution--Ferdinand of Styria--Khlesl’s change of policy--The Troppau question--Fall of Z̆erotin--Election of Ferdinand as King of Bohemia--The renewed persecution--The Assemblies of 1618--The Defenestratio--The Provisional Government--Fall of Khlesl--Alliances on both sides--Deaths of Maximilian and Matthias--Silesia, Lausitz, and Moravia join the Bohemians--Thurn’s invasion of Austria and its end--Bethlen Gabor, and the rising in Hungary--Election of Frederick as king--Discontent of the peasantry with the movement--Difficulties of the Assembly--Bethlen’s successes and failures--Maximilian of Bavaria--The final invasion--Battle of the White Hill.