Page:A history of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages, volume 2.djvu/568

 552 THE HUSSITES. been agreed upon, and Philip of Burgundy had consented to lead it. Final arrangements were to be made in Frankfort in October, and there ^neas Sylvius wanted the aid of Capistrano's tireless ardor. Their correspondence at this juncture shows the terror which existed lest Europe should be overrun ; the confusion and uncertainty which prevailed, and the selfish differences which threatened to neutralize effort. At Frankfort their worst fears were realized. The zeal of the princes had cooled, and they de- clared the purpose of the pope and emperor was to steal their money and not to fight. They demanded that the business should be conducted by a general council which should at the same time repress the Holy See— in fact, both parties were selfishly endeav- oring to turn the agony of Europe to account ; the pope to raise money, and the princes to recover their independence. All that ^neas and Capistrano could obtain was a promise that at the Pentecost of 1455 they would meet the emperor and determine what could be do^e. In February and March, 1455, they began to assemble at Neuburg, near Vienna, where Podiebrad again used every effort to procure Eokyzana's confirmation. As for the crusade, the energies of Christendom seemed paralyzed by the petty jealousies and ambitions of its rulers. At last, under the unflagging eloquence of ^neas and Capistrano, things appeared to be taking shape, when the news was received of the death of Nicholas Y. on March 22. Everything fell to pieces, and the princes departed, postponing action until the next year. It was a forcible example of the utility of the papacy, which supplied a common head to the discordant forces of the time.^ Capistrano's impetuous energies were now fairly enlisted in the strife with the Turk, and the Hussites had a respite. In fact, the situation was too alarming to permit of their persecution, and, it is a remarkable instance of the unbending rigidity of Kome^j that even in this perilous juncture the overtures and concessions^ of Podiebrad and Eokyzana availed them nothing. ^ Calixtus III. was elected April 8, with a speed which showed' how dangerous a papal interregnum was considered. He at oncej « (p. 947). — Ejiisd. Epistt. xxxix.-xliii., xlvi., Iviii., Ix. (0pp. inedd. pp. 415-24,.| 426-9, 440-1, 448).
 * Wadding, ann. 1254, No. 7-12; ann. 1255, No. 2-7.— ^n. Sylv. Epist. 40?