Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/405

 At this Diet of 1615 an event occurred that shows how powerful the States were when they dared assert themselves. Václav Vchynsky, a certain nobleman, received from the king the estates of Chlumec and Kolin as a reward for helping him to win the crown of Bohemia. One of the laws of the land provided that, should any one help a candidate to win the crown of Bohemia before he had been elected by the States, he was to lose his honor, life, and property. Vchynsky was tried for this offense, and, being found guilty, was condemned to imprisonment for life and the confiscation of his estates. Matthias was obliged to see this sentence carried out without being able to give his friend any assistance.

Matthias, marrying at a late age, was without heirs, and the crown would have fallen to his brothers, Maximilian and Albert; but these also being childless, were willing to resign their rights in favor of the nearest kin, Ferdinand of Styria, which proposition was willingly received by the king. But the Protestants, remembering his cruelty in extirpating their brethren from his dominions, were not so eager to crown him King of Bohemia. The chief opponent of Ferdinand was Count Thurn, who insisted that, before this important question be settled, a Diet be called, composed of delegates from all the lands belonging to the Kingdom of Bohemia. Some of the States being won over by fair promises, this proposition was rejected, and after some delay Ferdinand was named the successor of Matthias, haying first taken an oath to support and keep all the liberties of the country, and also promising not to interfere in the government during the life of Matthias.