from the King of Poland (who was two years since in England or Scotland
with his Majesty Zavaisky) came lately hither and had audience of the
Queen of Bohemia. His business is about the Princesse her daughter, which
is to be treated as occasion shall require in England. V.-, p. 28, part 5.
1636, Dec. 2. Ratisbon. John Taylor to Lord Fielding. Bohemia and Silesia
fear that Wrangle, a brave commander of the Swedes, will fall into their
countries, he having already defeated some Saxon regiments, which he
pursued into Silesia. V.-, p. 42, part 5.
_The Franciscan Manuscripts at the Convent_, Merchants Quay, Dublin
1642, May 17. Brussels. Hugh Bourke (Commissary of the Irish Friars Minors
in Germany and Belgium) to Luke Wadding, Guardian of St. Isidores, Rome. I
am Killing myself with travel and travail, and yet cannot accomplish any
good result for lack of means; wherefore I am minded to leave all and
withdraw to Bohemia for I can do no more.... V.-, p. 140.
_The Manuscripts of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, K. G, K. F._,
preserved at Montague House, Whitehall.
1610, Feb. 26. Dusseldorp. Jo. Dickenson to Winwood. Touching affairs and
disputes in Germany, Bohemia and the Netherlands. V. 1, p. 98.
1611, March 20. Dusseldorp. Same to same. Affairs in Bohemia, Alsace, the
Palatinate, Juliers, Germany, Brussels, etc. V. 1, p. 98.
1613, Dec. 29. Mons. J. Luntius to Winwood. Affairs of Germany, the Turks,
Transylvania, Hungary, Bohemia. V. 1, p. 148.
1614, Mar. 29. Mons. Dathenes to Winwood. Refers to the affairs of France,
Spain, Transylvania, the Bohemians, Austrians, Hungarians, Germany and the
Swiss Cantons. V. 1, p. 157.
1617, Apr. 10. Cologne. Mons. Bilderbeck to Winwood. Affairs of Italy,
France, Germany, Bohemia, Hungary, Poland, Spain. V. 1, p. 195.
1620, Dec. 13. Spittle. Sir Charles Montagu to Sir Edward Montagu. To
begin with the worst first, there is news come now of more certain truth
than heretofore from Bohemya, which is that the King’s army hath had a
great overthrow, and Prage is lost, but the King and Queen are at a strong
place called Presslaw in Selecya, and the King of Hungary and he have met
and they both intend to raise a far greater force to set on them suddenly;
God give them better success. V. 1, p. 255.
_The Manuscripts of the Earl of Mar and Kellie_, preserved at Alloa House,
N. B.
1621, Feb. 18th. London. The Archbishop of St. Andrews to John, Lord
Erskine: In Bohemia they ar making to the feildis. Count Mansfeild layis
in Bohem with ane army of ten thowsand. The King is yit in Silesia with
another. It wold appear that His Majesty expectis good and honest dealing
at the Spanishe hand, quharin I bessech God he be not deceavit. V.-, p. 94.
1626, Mar. Intelligence from Germany. The Bohemians have got a great
defait. Count of Manflet, thair generall, being courting his mistres
in Pragg, and his armie upon the fieldis with his Serjant-Major, Count
Bucquoy set upon them on a sudden, Kild 300 men and defait the rest. V.-,
p. 149.
_The Manuscripts of J. B. Fortescue, Esq._, preserved at Dropmore
1788, Aug. 4. The Marquis of Buckingham to W. W. Grenville, in London. I
have seen a great deal of a very intelligent Irish Bohemian Count Taafe,
who is come to collect part of Butler’s property at Ballyragett, to which
he is heir, and his language is that of the most sovereign contempt for
the Imperial Joseph and his army.... His accounts of the disaffection of
Hungary and Bohemia are very interesting.... V. 1, p. 349.
_The Manuscripts of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu_
1620, Sept. A Letter worthy the overlooking from a gentleman in Vienna
attending on Sir Henry Wotton, Lord Ambassador to the Emperor and sent to
his brother-in-law in London. Newsletter from Vienna:
“Now to return to the King of Bohemia. He hath likewise several armies in
the field, several friends ans several generals. The first is the Prince
of Anhalte, the second the Earl of Mansfield, the third the Earl of Tourne
(Thurn); who have under them fifty thousand men in several quarters,
whereby they have so well demanded themselves, and wherewith so well
withstood their enemies, that the Emperor hath no cause to boast of his
summers work, for his forces hitherto have done nothing but received loss,
and it is very likely that if the Transilvanian Prince do join once with
the King of Bohemia, they will surely put the Emperor to a sore plunge,
for story doth not acquaint us with such a formidable division again, and
I believe it is a secret locked up in the treasury of heaven to know or
discover what will be the issue of these terros and threatenings of all
sides.” V.-, pp. 97-104.
_The Manuscripts of the Earl Cowper_, preserved at Melbourne Hall,
Derbyshire
1624, Oct. 1. John Coke to the Lord Brooke. Out of Germany a bruit
flieth which I hope is not true that Tilly hath either taken or besieged
Basle and that the Emperor hasteneth the Diet for a ratification of the
Electorate and a final exclusion of the person of the King of Bohemia. V.
12, p. 172.
1633, May 16. Copy of accounts passed by Sir J. Coke, of Sir Robert
Anstruther, Ambassador Extraordinary in Germany, etc. Allowance for blacks
for him and his family to condole the deaths of the Kings of Sweden and
Bohemia. £200. V. 12, p. 9, app. 2.
1641, July 12. London. Ed. Sidenham to Sir John Coke. From Bohemia they
write the 22nd of June 1641 that the 19th there was a battle fought
betwixt the Swedes and the Imperialists, wherein the Imperialists lost
four or five thousand and the Swedes 500 men. This was fought at Walstadt
in Bohemia. V. 12, p. 287, app. 3.
_The Manuscripts of George Wingfield Digby, Esq._, of Sherborne Castle,
Co. Dorset
1611, July 10. Bruxcelles. W. Trumbull to Sir Digbye. The Emperor and
his brother Mathias are now in treaty for a reconciliation; but what
appearance is there of an agreement, when ye younger will have all, and
leave the other nothing. Eight arbitrators are chosen to accomodate their
quarrells whereof De Balthazar de Cunega, is ye Firste on ye Emperour’s
parte, although in ye deposing of him from ye crowne of Bohemia, hee did
wholly runne course with K. Mathias. V. 10, p. 523, app. 1.
1611, Aug. 10. Venice. Sir Dudley Carleton to Sir J. Digbye. The new King
of Bohemia hathe lately written his letters to this State and changed his
language from Latin (wherein he was ever wont to write) into Highe-Duche.
V. 10, p. 527.
Feb. 8. Venice. Sir D. Carleton to Sir J. Digbye. This State apprehending
ye King of Hungarie as a Knowen ill-willer of theirs, runne on in
projecting his certaine election, and, ut est timor ingeniousus interpres,
thei frome out of general prognostiques a conclusion unto themselves wh
thei most feare. His being allready possessed of Hungarie & Bohemia, thei
doubte will drawe on by a necessary consequence the thirde Crowne.... V.
10, p. 561.
1617, July 29. Sir Ralph Winwood, Secretary of State, to the Earl of
Buckingham.... I have thought yt necessary to acquaynt your Lordship with
an advertissment I lately receaved ... from hys Agent Mr. Cottington, at
Madrid that ... of a propownded marriage between the sonne of Ferdinando
of Gratz lately elected Kyng of Bohemia and the Infanta Donna Maria
daughter of the King of Spayne. V. 10, p. 102.
1617, Aug. 15. The same to the same. May yt please your Lordship. The
resident of Venice lately hath been with me advertising that from that Duc
he had charge to declare to Hys Majesty thease three poynts.
That the treaty between the new Kyng of Bohemia and that Commonwealthe was
resumed and upon the poynt to be concluded, etc. V. 10, p. 103.
_The Manuscripts of the Earl of Westmorland_, at Apethorpe,
Northamptonshire
1619, Sept. 24. Heidelberg. The Elector Palatine to Sir E. Herbert.
Bohemia has become the scene of the most bloody and horrible tragedies
that have ever been heard of among Christians. The Roman Catholic Princes
and Electors have collected a great number of soldiers. Foreigners, mostly
in the pay of Spain, have been allowed to pass through the Empire into
Bohemia contrary to Imperial Constitutions. The Princes and States united
with me have armed in self-defence, considering the trouble that might
arise after the disbandement of the troops in Bohemia.... You will have
heard that the States of Bohemia have unanimously elected me, although I
had not in any way inspired to that crown. V. 10, p. 381.
1619, Dec. 24. The Hague. Viscount Doncaster to Sir E. Herbert ...
Ferdinand would give me no answer because the Spanish Ambassador, Count
d’Ogniate, was not there.... Finding no disposition to peace in either
part, I pretended the necessity of making a journey to the Spa for my
health. Here I received the news that the Prince Palatine was chosen King
of Bohemia. I was afterwards told to return to Frankfort to congratulate
the Emperor on his election, and to protest that our King had neither hand
nor Knowledge of this action of the Bohemians.... V.-, p.
1621, Oct. 6. Copy of a letter written by a dutiful servant “Nobody” sent
from Bruxelles to his worthy master “Nemo.” On Bohemian affairs, & Lord
Digby’s embassy to the Emperor. V. 10, p. 20, app. 4.
The Lord Digbie’s propositions to his Cesarean Matie, for the restoration
of the Count Palatine & on Bohemian affairs. V. 10, p. 22, app. 4.
1621, Nov. 12. The King’s letter to the Emperour as to the Count Palatine
& on Bohemia affairs. V. 10, p. 22, app. 4.
1622, June 2. A copy of a letter sent from Mannheim on Bohemian affairs.
V. 10, p. 23.
_The Manuscripts of the Family of Gawdy_, formerly of Norfolk
1631, Nov. 8. Sir Edmond Moundeford to Framlingham Gawdy. The King of
Sweden is stept to the side of the Upper Palatinate; the King of Bohemia
is going to him. 24,000 men by our King and the States are parlied of for
him. V. 10, p. 136, app. 2.
1661-2, Feb. 13. T(homas) L(any) to Anne de Grey. The Queen of Bohemia
died last night. V. 10, p. 195.
_The Manuscripts of Hon. Frederick Lindley Wood_
1639, Aug. 27. London. Philip Burlamachi to Sir Arthur Ingram. The Swedes
armees are in Bohemia keeping the Imperialist within Prague perplexed with
plague and famine; there may everi day some notable incontre follow; a
niew suply is come to the Swedes from Sweden and Liffland which gives them
courage to march towards Slesia. V. 8, p. 52.
_The Lansdowne Manuscripts_ in the British Museum.
Trickings of the arms of the Emperors, Kings and nobility of Germany,
Hungary, Bohemia, etc. fo. 34.
A relation of the defeat of the King of Bohemia’s army and of the
subsequent misfortunes of himself and his Queen. fo. 80.
[Illustration: The Bohemian Review]
[Transcriber’s Note: Transcription of this illustration appears after
Index.]
Ad Serenissimam Regiam Majestatem Magnæ Britanniæ Joh. Amos Comenius.
Supplex vox Afflictorum pro Christo ex Bohemia, Moravia, Polonia, et
Hungaria. fo. 190b.
A proposition made by the Estates of Bohemia, in theire Assembly at
Prague, upon the election of a Kinge, the 16th of August 1619, being the
birthday of the Prince Elector Pallatine. fo. 198.
Chronograms respecting the King of Bohemia, fo. 202.
Copy of the King of Bohemia’s answer to a letter of King James I.,
thanking him for the education of his eldest son at his Court, etc. Hague,
20-30 Decem. 1623. fo. 335.
_The Manuscripts of Sir Hervey Juckes Lloyd Bruce_, preserved at Clifton
Hall, Nottingham
1619. A Proposition made by the States of Bohemia in theyr Assembly at
Prague uppon the Election of a Kinge the 16th of August, beinge the
birthday of the Prince Elector Palatine. Albeit the nomination of a Kinge
of Bohemia requires a mature councell and deliberacion, which ought to
precede the nomination, it is an affayre notwithstandinge of the lesse
difficultye then the iejectinge (sic) of a king which gave a beginninge
to this and stands in neede both of a good justification and of a great
power, where (as) the nomination hath of those aydes but follows of
itselfe after the rejection.
Now therefore, since the iejection (sic) as the things importinge us is
already done, the nomination wilbe much the more easily provided that in
the choyse we stand not presisely upon such a perfection as the world
cannot yeild us. It behoves us also to set apart all perticuler passions
and to have regard only to those reasons that are fundamentall, for
there are requisite points so necessary to be considered in the election
of a Kinge that (it) is not for a good patriot to give his councell for
receivinge of one in whome those points required is not found, but one may
with very good assurance conclude for him in whome they doe dayly more
meete than in any other man.
As in the first place in such a subject it is necessary that there be none
of those thinges to be feard; for if Kinge Ferdinand was rejected, that
is to say, he ought not eyther to prosecute or advance in the respect
of religion nor exceede in the dependance of his owne counsaylors or
of strangers, but to joine himselfe with the States he ought not to be
opiniative nor given to doe thinges of his owne head, but to accomadate
the customes of his house and his to the ordinances and liberties of thys
crowne.
In the second place it is required that he affect the States’ reputation.
Thirdly, that in time both of peace and warr he governe his Kingdome by
his owne presence worthyly and profitably.
Fourthly, that confederates receive no cause of feare from eyther of
danger or damage. Since then there are few that are inferred into the
treaty of eleccion, that is to say, the Kinge of Denmarke, the Elector
Palatine, the Elector of Saxoni, the Duke of Savoy, and the Prince of
Transilvania, yt will therefore be to purpose to consider that, although
every one of these princes in his owne perticuler deserveth prayse and
commendation, neverthelesse there is amongst them a certaine diversity
which everyone by himselfe may prudently waigh. And forasmuch as it is
not permitted us to judge liberally of great princes in this place, it
shall suffice without offence of any breifely to deduce the reasons for
which the Elector Palatine ought to be esteemed very capable of the crowne
of Bohemia, and fitt to mainteyne the present estate of the kingdome,
for although his highnesse be not above 23 yeeres of age, he is a prince
of great judgement bred up from his cradle in goodnesse and vertue, one
that hath persons of quality about him as well of the feild as for the
state who are used to curteisy, and himselfe of very plentifull hopes, and
besides at this age he will better accomodate himselfe to the customes of
the kingdome then if he were more increased in yeares; and God bestows not
wisdome alwayes according to the age of a man, but to him that calls to
God for it in His feare.
He is a prince moderate, virtuos and resolute in his actions, quick and
sharpe in his discourse, true, courteous towards all men, very well
languaged, holds a very fayre court of earls, barrons and gentlemen,
loves and cherishes the nobility, imployes in his service even men of
meane condition when he finds meritt in them for it. He letts no worthy
service passe him without his acknowledgement, he governs his subjects
and country (in part the frontives of this kingdome) with prudence, gives
estimation to men of honor, holds a well ordered councell, frequents the
councell table in his owne person, takes an exact heed of the opinions
and propositions of his councellors, gives good cause of havinge his
judgement approv’d and commended of thinges of importance, inclines his
understandinge willingely to other mens information, loves the common good
and therein takes paines with zeale and without feare, beares compassion
to the afflicted, shewes himselfe laborious and resolved, is beloved
of his subjects, beares himselfe peaceably with his neighbors of what
religion soever they be, and winnes respect of those different beliefs for
his owne religion. He is well affected, yet those who are of another fayth
in his countries doe not find themselves disquieted in their consciences
nor in their exercise of their religion, so as every man may live freely
under him, videlicet, his conversation be honest and vertous. There is
none can abuse or accuse him of precipitation or opinatives (sic), a thing
worthy remarkeable (sic).
He is in correspondence with those of the house of Palatine and Bavoirs
and, notwithstandinge so, that cause forsakes nothinge of those rightes
nor of the duties belonginge to the generall estate of the country, and
howsoever that this prince be but younge and shewes himselfe courteous
and sweet towards his people, for all that there is no lightnesse,
dissollutions (sic) nor voluptuousnesse seene in him nor any disorder
nor excesse in his diett nor any avarice and digality (sic) or any other
thinge whatsoever unbecominge or contrary to the reputation of a prince.
For the assistance the crowne of Bohemia may expect from him, it may be
understoode of any man that not only he is not in debt, and that of his
revenue he can lay some things upp, but that also the Kinge of Great
Brittaine is his father-in-law, the Kinge of Denmark is his neere kinsman,
and likewise the Elector of Brandenbourh, the Prince of Orenge his uncle,
the Duke of Bullion his ally, the States of the United Provinces his
confederates, and ancient alliances with France, the Kinge of Sweden and
the Hanse Townes his friends, and for his correspondents the Duke of
Savoi, Venice and Switzerland. He is a good credit with all the Princes
Electors and other princes and Estates of the Empire, more perticulerly
with those of the Union he hath confederacies, the Prince of Transsilvania
and High Hungary doe beare affection to him, Saxonie and Bavoir are in
good termes with him, Mentz and the neighbouring countries looke uppon him
with honor and respect, insomuch as the crowne of Bohemia by this only
meanes may procure the amity of all those which we doe now labour for
with so much paine and travell, and by the same meanes may be conserved
and fortified against our enimies, which cannot of any other nominated in
the election be eyther expected or hoped for. And since it is a certainty
that this prince would not accept of the election for Ambition sake, but
only for the common good, we may therefore promise ourselves that he will
alwayes continue in the good affection he hath already shewed to this
crowne by the profitable counsell and assistances which as well as his
owne person as other wayes according to the occasions he hath made to
appeare, where (as) there are some others that for for theyr perticuler
conservations have greatly prejudiced not only the estates of the kingdome
of Bohemia but the countries also and provinces confederats.
Thirdly, the sayd confederated provinces are to consider whoe are already
in good understandinge with this prince, that they cannot have the like
confidence in others who are to much tyed in the respect of the house of
Austria to succour the sayd provinces in theyr neede, and in such a case
the confederations would bring them prejudice rather than benefitt, a
point of great waight touchinge this crowne as may be seene by experience.
Since then that all these qualities required doe meete in the person
of the Prince Elector, and that in those of the others treated in the
election (the Prince of Transilvania excepted, who hath his eye upon
another marke) there are many imperfections to be found, as may easily
be shewed, it is therefore a matter to no purpose longer to defer the
election, and so much the rather because the crowne of Bohemia with the
countries confederate will now after the rejection be more disquieted
than ever; and remayning without a head we shall find none whoe will duly
undertake our protection or defence. V. 7, p. 269.
1619. The joyfull receivinge, triumphant entronce and stately formall
coronation of Fredericke, the Prince Elector Palatine, and the Lady
Elizabeth, Princesse Electoresse, King and Queen of Bohemia, on Munday and
Thursday the 25th and 28th day of October ould stile, 1619.
It is knowne unto all men for what weightie reasons the States of the
kingdome of Bohemia and of the incorporated countries have with one joynte
consent excluded Kinge Ferdinand from the kingedome, and have in his
place, with an especially mutuall agreement, chosen and named for theire
kinge the right highe and mightie Prince Fredricke by the grace of God
Erle Palatine of the Rhyne, Duke of both the Bavaries, Prince Elector
and Vicar of the Romane Empire, whome after a lawfull callinge they have
crowned on the 4th and 7th dayes of November, newe stile, that is, the
25th and 28th of October, ould stile, 1619.
Uppon the 21-31 of October, 1619, afternoone, came his Majestie with
the Queene his wife, the younger prince theire eldest sonne, his Lord
brother Duke Lodowicke, the Duke of Wertemberge, the 2 Princes of Anhalt,
together with his whole retinue, consistinge of five companies of curast
horsemen, 500 harquebus horsemen, and 3 auncients of footemen of 300 a
peece, with many coatches and a very greate number of wagons laden with
the carriages towards Prague, and beinge come within 2 or 3 Englishe miles
there of into a faire pleasant place be a parke called the Starre, where
the Lords, the States of the kingdome of Bohemia and of the incorporated
countryes of Moravia, Silesia and both of Lusatiæs, with the magistrates
and chiefe men of the 3 citties of Prague, attended his Majesties cominge,
accompanied with about a 1000 horse, very statelie and well appointed;
there the(y) alighted and received him out of his coatche with greate
state, honor and reverence, unto whome the Baron of Tallenberge, Lord
Greate Chamberlaine, made a speech in the Bohemian tongue, which the
Barron of Ruppa interpreted in Dutche; his Majestie gave thereunto so good
an answere as that the States much rejoyced thereat, which done, they came
one after another, kneeled downe and kissed his Majesties hand. In like
respect every way was the Queene received, save that they kneeled not unto
her.
Then his Majestie mounted on horsebacke, but yett stayed a whyle, till the
lords and gentry were also mounted and that theire Coronell Kinski had
orderly marshall’d them, whose discipline his Majestie well liked. Then
the(y) marched on conductinge his Majestie towerds Prague; when he came
into the cittie, the citizens of the 3 citties of Prague stoode in armes,
very bravely appointed, as well on horsebacke as on foote on both sides of
the street and open places, makeinge a lane or courte or guarde frome the
entringe in of the cittie unto the castle; theire Majesties rid alonge,
and that in this manner.
They of the little cittie were one cornett of horse with 6 trumpetts
and one kettledrumme, they of the newe cittie one cornett of horse with
6 trumpetts and one kettledrumme, they of the ould cittie one cornett of
horse with 6 trumpetts and one kettledrumme, as also another companie of
200 horse voluntary well-willers, and 7 companies of foote, all citizens,
exceedingly well mounted and furnished.