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 whole, it may be said that he ruled well, putting down, with a strong hand, the unruly nobles, as well as the bands of robbers that infested the country. He protected the interests of the crown by compelling some lords to give up the estates they still held; but, at the same time, he did not scruple himself to take possession of vast estates that did not rightfully belong to him. Queen Kunigunda having died, Falkenstein, claiming to be her heir, held cities and fortresses that had formerly belonged to her while Queen of Bohemia, but which she had no legal right to will away to any one outside of the royal family.

Falkenstein’s policy not only roused the jealousy of the nobles, but also that of the emperor, who feared that the young Václav would have more regard to his wishes than to those of his father-in-law, and therefore he determined, if possible, to put an end to the government of Falkenstein. To win the favor of Václav, he resigned the government of Moravia as soon as the five years were out for which he was to hold the country. Then he offered to bring to Václav his wife, if he would agree to dismiss Falkenstein; and as the young prince had for some time been very desirous to see her, he was easily persuaded to send away that nobleman. Falkenstein, hearing of the plots against him, resigned his office, and departed to his castle of Furstenberg, where, shortly after, he took another wife, the sister of the King of Hungary.

About a year after this, there were great rejoicings in the Furstenberg castle. A son had been born to Falkenstein, and grand preparations were made for the christening, to which were invited both Václav and many distinguished noblemen.