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 stituted about one-twentieth of all the people, and therefore it can be seen how unjust it was to allow them to manage affairs entirely to their own interests.

Although the Jesuits did all in their power to gain influence and start an anti-Protestant current of thought, there was little change until the death of Sir William of Rosenberg, the Burggrave of Prague. This nobleman, although a Catholic and devoted to his sovereign, was nevertheless so zealous a patriot that he would sanction nothing that could in any way compromise the liberties of any of the people of the kingdom. But when Sir William died, the chief power was obtained by several men who had been the pupils of the Jesuits; among these the most prominent being George of Lobkovic, Jaroslav of Martinic, and William Slavata, two of whom figure so prominently at the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War. In Moravia the most zealous workers for the spread of Catholicism were Cardinal Dietrichstein, the Bishop of Olmutz, and Sir Charles of Lichtenstein. These noblemen and prelates began the work of conversion to Catholicism by forcibly shutting up the churches of the Protestants upon their estates, and by compelling the members, by whippings, fines, and other persecutions, to attend mass in the Catholic churches. Their example was followed by other Catholic lords, till, on some occasions, the people driven to despair, turned upon their oppressors, and bloody skirmishes were the result. No redress could be obtained for this injustice; for the perpetrators were rather praised than punished, since they showed such zeal in reclaiming people to the true faith.

The king’s gloomy temperament constantly in-