Page:A history of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages, volume 2.djvu/448

 .o^ BOHEMIA. 432 the person of Arnest of Pardubitz. Two years later, in 1346, Chariesras elected King of the Konxans by the Electors of Treves and Cologne in opposition to Lonis of Bavaria, as the supporter of the papacy; and a month later he succeeded to the throne o BoheJa'thrigh the knightly death of the blind Kmg John a CrL Still more influential and far-reachmg m its results was the founding in 1347 of the University of Prague, to which the comW favor of pope and emperor gave immediate lustre. Art^hop Arnest assumed its chancellorship, learned schoolmen filled its chairs; students flocked to it from every quarte^^nd 't soon rivalled in numbers and reputation its elder sisters of Oxford, "^"S^^iteTaltlr half of the century, Bohemia, under these ausBices was one of the most flourishing kingdoms of Europe, r rn;s of the precious metals gave it wealth; the freedom enioTed by its peasantry raised them mentally and morally above 7e Lei of the serfs of other lands; cnlture and enlightenmen were diffused from its university. It was renowned throughou the Continent for the splendor of its churches, which m size and number were nowhere exceeded. At the monastery of Ivomg- saal where the Bohemian kings lay buried, around the walls oi he garden the whole of the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revela- tions was engraved, with letters enlargingMn size with their dis^ tance from L ground, so that all could be easily read^ In ti. bitter struggles of after generations the reign of Kmg Ch'iries was fondly' looked back upon as the golden age of Bohe-^ Wealth and culture, however, were accompanied w ith corrup Ion Nowhere were the clergy more worldly and depraved Concubinage was weU-nigh universal, and simony pervaded the Church in all its ranks, the sacraments were sold and penitence co™ded for. AU the abuses for- which clerical immunity Sshed opportunity flourished, and the land was overrun by agrants whose tonsure gave them charter to rob and brawl and dice and drink. The influences from above which moulded the Bohemian Church may be estimated from ■-^-fl'-''^^:^^ 1344 Clement VI. wrote to Arnest, then simple Bishop of Prague. . Wemnsky Excerptt. ex Registt. Clem. VI. pp. 38, 47.-Raynald. ann. 1347, No. 11.