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 him. This action roused the king from his lethargy. He called an Imperial Diet, where, besides other business, it was decided to end the schism in the Church by asking both Popes to abdicate and electing a new Pope in their place. But no sooner was this decision made known to the Roman Pope Boniface, than that pontiff began in turn to fight the interests of Václav, and it was due to his influence that he was deposed from the imperial dignity, and Ruprecht Palatine elected in his place as King of the Romans.

About this time the same misfortune befell Sigmund in Hungary that, through his aid, had befallen his brother in Prague—he was taken prisoner by his own lords, and kept in close confinement. Václav, however, showed himself far more brotherly than Sigmund had done. He raised an army, and, in five months, the lords were compelled to set their king at liberty.

King Václav, counting upon the gratitude of his brother for the services he had rendered him, determined to ask his aid in freeing himself from the detested yoke of the nobles. For this purpose he invited him to Prague and gave him a share in the government. Sigmund repaid this confidence with the blackest treachery. He seized Václav, cast him into prison, and himself usurped the government. Later, he appointed a regent and went to Vienna, taking with him his royal prisoner. But he had scarcely left the country when an insurrection broke out against him, and he hurried back to restore order. His cruel treatment of the citizens of some of the rebellious cities struck terror into the hearts of the people, and they submitted to his government without