Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/400



reign of Matthias is memorable as the time when Bohemia was plunged into a series of disturbances that ultimately deprived her of her independence, and, indeed, almost of her existence. Before entering on the political history of the time, it will be well to look upon the condition of the country at the beginning of this reign.

In the beginning of the seventeenth century, the kingdom of Bohemia included Moravia, Silesia, and both Upper and Lower Lusatia. Thus, although the kingdom in regard to territorial extent was not to be despised, its political importance was greatly augmented by its being the center of government of the Austrian rulers, who, as kings of Bohemia, generally made Prague their capital, especially as most of them were also Kings of Hungary, and some Emperors of Germany.

In the early history of the country, there were four ruling classes or States in the kingdom, consisting of the lords, knights, citizens and clergy; but after the Hussite wars the clergy were excluded, although this was contrary to the custom in all the neighboring States.

There were some 254 families of the nobility, 1,128 knights. These, together with the representative citi-