V.

TIME OF ANARCHY IN BOHEMIA FROM DEATH OF OTTAKAR II. TO ACCESSION OF CHARLES IV. 107-129

(1278-1346.)

Rudolf’s moderation as a conqueror--Impossibility of his policy--Kunigunda and Otto of Brandenburg--Treachery and tyranny of Otto and his followers--The famine--Return of King Wenceslaus II.--Zavis̆ of Falkenstein--Marriage of Wenceslaus--Intrigues and death of Zavis̆--Policy of Wenceslaus--Death of Rudolf and new divisions in the Empire--Albert’s concessions and election--Relations of Wenceslaus to Hungary--Death of Wenceslaus II., and accession and murder of Wenceslaus III.--Struggles between Rudolf of Hapsburg and Henry of Carinthia for Bohemia--Election of Henry of Luxemburg as Emperor--Election of John as King of Bohemia--His prospects and promises--The Archbishop of Mainz--Henry of Lipa--The towns and the nobles--Audacity of Henry of Lipa--Return of John--Civil war in Bohemia--Practical victory of Henry--His intrigues against Elizabeth--John and the citizens of Prague--Difficulties of Elizabeth--Prosecution of Bishop John--Cruelty of John--Charles as Governor of Bohemia--Intrigues of nobles against him--Resistance of Charles to John--Friendliness of Pope Clement to John and Charles--The Slavonic ritual--Election of Charles as Emperor--Battle of Crecy and death of John.