IV.

THE GROWTH OF BOHEMIAN LIFE FROM ACCESSION OF PR̆EMYSL OTTAKAR I. TO DEATH OF PR̆EMYSL OTTAKAR II. 67-106

(1198-1278.)

Relative importance of Constitutional questions in different histories and at different periods--Causes of decline of early Bohemian liberties--Policy of Pr̆emysl Ottakar I.--The German settlement in Poric̆--Extension of its privileges to other towns--Special position of Moravia--The town-rights of Brünn--The Mongol invasion--Collapse of Europe--Pope and Emperor--King Wenceslaus I.--First check of the Mongols--Impulse given by these events to the movement for municipal liberty--Towns as a check on the nobles--Power of the jury--Effect of this movement on trade--On political capacity--Pr̆emysl Ottakar II.--His relations to nobles and clergy--Difficulties between towns and monasteries--Ottakar’s policy in that respect--His foreign policy--Circumstances of the annexation of Austria to Bohemia--The marriage with Margaret--Relations of Ottakar to Vienna--The struggle in and conquest of Styria--Story of conquest of Carinthia and Carniola--Ottakar’s tyranny in Styria--Ottakar’s relations with Hungary--Anarchy in the Empire--Refusal of Imperial Crown by Ottakar--Long discussions and divisions among the Electors--Circumstances of the election of Rudolf of Hapsburg--Ottakar’s protest--Pope Gregory X. and Bruno of Olmütz--The Council of Lyons--Rudolf’s claims on Ottakar’s conquests--The first war between Ottakar and Rudolf--Surrender of the conquered lands to Rudolf--Differences about the terms of peace--Rudolf’s difficulties between towns and archbishops--Falling off of Rudolf’s supporters--The conspiracy in Vienna and its suppression--The final war--Battle of the Marchfeld and death of Ottakar--Estimate of the work of Pr̆emyslovci--Causes of Ottakar’s fall.