Page:History of the Thirty Years' War - Gindely - Volume 1.djvu/76

 That this precaution was needed became more evident when we know that Ferdinand instituted a consultation among prominent theologians of the Jesuit College in Prague, putting to them the question whether he should accede to the demands of the Estates, as he should thereby indirectly confirm the Royal Charter. The answer was a unanimous affirmation, and its ground was that, although it would not have been right for him to issue it, yet, as it had already been issued, he might confirm it. In accordance with this advice, he gave his assent to the promise as formulated by the Estates, and the coronation might proceed forthwith, which accordingly took place on the 1gth of June, 1617, attended with the ancient pomp and splendor.

That Ferdinand would take advantage of every opportunity to suppress the opposition of the Bohemian Estates was clear from the treatment which they received publicly under his influence. Only Thurn and Fels had voted against his acceptance as King; and yet seven of the party leaders were summoned to the royal chancery, and not only warned, but threatened, relatively to their action in the Diet. A few months later Thurn received a punishment which wounded him more deeply; he was promoted from the post of Burggrave of Carlstein, with which was connected a yearly income of about 8,000 thalers, to that of High Judgeship in the Court of Fiefs, with an income of 400 thalers. This, however, was but the initial step to further and more stringent measures for hastening the destruction of Protestantism, and for which a handle was found in the perplexed laws of the year 1609.