Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/357

 But King Vladislav was at a loss to know what to do; and when he did know, he lacked the energy of will to carry out his good resolutions. His weakness may be judged from the following anecdote: On one occasion the Diet passed some important measures, and in order that it might be sure of their being carried into effect, it at the same time appointed six men to keep the matter constantly before the king. Vladislav had no convictions of his own; the last speaker always seemed to be the one to win the case. He had a habit of saying “Very well” to everything that was proposed to him, until he was nicknamed “King Very Well.”

In the year 1490, Matthias died, just as he was on the point of beginning a new war against Bohemia. This was exceedingly fortunate; for with so weak a king as Vladislav, the results would doubtless have been most disastrous to the country. As had been agreed, Moravia, Silesia, and Lusatia reverted to the Bohemian crown.

Matthias leaving no heirs, the throne was to be filled by election. Out of the numerous candidates, the Hungarians chose the Bohemian king, with the condition that he should take up his residence in their capital. Vladislav was not chosen because of any good qualities, but because of his well-known weakness. The Hungarian nobles were weary of such a king as Matthias, who ruled them with a strong hand, meting out signal punishment upon all who dared show any signs of disaffection. With such a ruler as Vladislav, they hoped to re-establish their old-time importance and independence.

The election of Vladislav to the Hungarian throne was a great misfortune to the Bohemians. A weak