Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/417

 was also an election in Frankfort, in which Ferdinand was unanimously elected Pies of Germany, and immediately after crowned.

Although Frederick had exerted all his powers to secure the election, now that the crown was offered him, he hesitated to accept it, being discouraged by many of his counselors. Finally, at the urgent appeal of his wife, who was a very spirited woman and greatly superior to her husband in courage, he accepted the election, and immediately took his departure to his kingdom, where he was received with great honor, and immediately crowned in the cathedral at Hradschin. The coronation oath was such that henceforth the royal power was subordinate to that of the States or Diet.

Shortly after his coronation, Frederick went to Moravia, where all the lords did him homage, except Charles of Zerotin. This nobleman, who possessed both the ability and the influence to be the leader in this great movement for civil and religious liberty, for some unaccountable reason, chose to stand aloof, remain loyal to a cause that was diametrically opposed to his own views, and thus sink into insignificance and oblivion.

The cause of the Bohemians was unexpectedly strengthened by Bethlen Gabor, the Prince of Transylvania. This prince, seeing the difficulties surrounding Ferdinand, determined to grasp this opportunity to increase his own power. He invaded Hungary, and in a short time subdued the whole country to the borders of Austria and Moravia. General Buquoi was thus compelled to leave Bohemia and go to the defense of Austria.

General Thurn, with an army of 30,000 men, joined