Page:History of the Thirty Years' War - Gindely - Volume 1.djvu/169

 of their religious freedom, and, on the other hand, the Estates should repeal their acts of confiscation. It is apparent that James would recognize only so much of the Bohemian quarrel as related to questions of religion, and would not support the political demands of the Estates; in general, he would sincerely labor to bring about an adjustment, if this should be desired on both sides.

Doncaster had travelled to Salzburg, by way of Heidelberg, where the Palsgrave and his wife had received him kindly, and attempted to win him to their views, which was not difficult, since his views as a Protestant made him hostile to the demands of the Hapsburgs, and consequently he did not hamper himself specially with the instructions of his sovereign. When, therefore, he met Ferdinand, he offered him indeed James’ mediation, but not in the sense in which he had been instructed, and perhaps used some expressions which did not dispose Ferdinand kindly. This fact and the progress of his arms caused him to decline the mediation; and when the astonished Doncaster, who shared his King’s mania for greatness, intimated that he was not satisfied with this decision, and still further commended the services of James, and urged their acceptance, Ferdinand informed him that he could not form a definitive conclusion until he reached Frankfort, and there might perhaps accept the mediation, but that some other princes also must be connected with it. Ferdinand then proceeded to Munich, where he met the Duke of Bavaria, and renewed the friendship which he had formed with him at Ingolstadt, and requested his aid in the matters at issue. Though he made no definite promise, Maximilian gave him encouraging assurances, and Ferdinand felt secure of their realization in case of his receiving at Frankfort the imperial crown.