Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/160

 father. He not only lacked his ability to govern, but he was too indolent to make use of the talents that he did possess. All tasks that required persistent effort soon wearied him, and unlooked-for difficulties only roused his temper, which was so ungovernable as to lead him into many cruelties. Being passionately fond of hunting, he kept about him a large drove of hounds, one of these, a huge monster, sleeping in the king’s chamber. It was believed that this hound caused the death of Queen Johanna, Václav’s first wife. Václav also indulged in all manner of gross dissipations; such as drinking, gambling, and carousing about in the night. Yet he was no spendthrift; the crown treasury was in a good condition, and the taxes were reasonable. For this reason he was liked by the common people; and he, in turn, preferred their company to that of the nobility. As far as he dared, he gave the offices of the crown to the knights, zemans, and even to citizens, seeking their counsel rather than that of the classes above them. This partiality for the common people brought upon him the deadly hatred of the lords and prelates.

In the first fifteen years of his reign, the country enjoyed perfect peace and prosperity. The administration of laws was so excellent that it was said a person could carry pots of money upon his head without any fear of being robbed.

The last task that Charles attempted to accomplish, just before his death, was to settle the difficulty between the two rival Popes, Urban VI of Rome, and Clement VII of Avignon; and King Václav likewise tried to do this good work. For this reason several Diets were called; but the