Page:The Peace League of George Poděbrad, King of Bohemia.pdf/14

 It is interesting to hear in what way the ecclesiastical councillors of the French king objected to this device. »It is not fitting for the Czech king to formulate such a request, especially not without the authorization of His Holiness the Pope and the Christian Emperor; and that it would be more fitting to leave it to the Holy Father and the Emperor to decide in this matter and that this was no business of the Czech king».

In Bohemia they felt quite differently about all these things. Therefore could Kostka well answer as follows: «All things that are fitting for the Holy Father shall not be taken from His Holiness, and also as regards His Grace the Emperor; but it seems to us a funny thing that you prelates do not like to see and do not suffer that any good comes out of agreements between secular people; but want that all must previously pass through the powers and offices of you prelates; and you want to know of all secular things, you clericals». Marini then expressed himself in a much more high spirited manner «The devil is in the Pope, the Pope is possessed of the Devil and there is no worse or more wicked man on the earth than he!»

Finally, the Czech mission had to be satisfied with a mere friendly agreement. All other things should be decided later on, but this never happened and so the whole project of a peace league fell to pieces. Thus the Pope really succeeded in frustrating it.

But George of Poděbrad’s peace league was by no means such a utopian idea as it would seem at a first glance. At this epoch the Christian states already began to consolidate themselves; indeed, they entered into regular relations between themselves and it was even thought of establishing permanent embassies and new principles of international law, for which purpose new organs were created.

A continual endeavour to liberate itself from the tutelage of the Church made itself strongly felt in Northern Europe, and even in Central Europe there were signs of the same movements. The Turkish danger became more and more acute. Upon all these component parts was based the device of king George’s peace federation.

In its introduction the above-mentioned device describes at length the steadylysteadily [sic] increasing might of the Turks. It was said that out of 117 formerly Christian states only 16 remained unconcerned (were not invaded by the Turks) and that the Lord punished people in this manner for their sins. People should realize their sins, so that they may be forgiven.—There is no such sublime thing on earth as peace amongst Christians and the protection