Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/197

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To the Reign of Sigmund.
187

administration of communion in both kinds. Žižka, however, with several of the more zealous reformers, did not approve of this. They left the city with such troops as willingly went with them, and marched into the vicinity of Pilsen, where they tried to get possession of the towns and fortresses ignoring the armistice entirely.

When the news of this battle reached Sigmund, he gave up the campaign against the Turks, and returned home, going as far as Brunn, Moravia (December, 1419). Here he was met by messengers from both parties, each laying before him its grievances. The popular party presented a petition asking that he guarantee to the nation the freedom of the Word of God, and the use of the chalice in communion. Sigmund promised to take the matter into consideration when he reached Bohemia, and to do justice to all parties. In the meantime, he ordered them to cease from persecuting priests that refused to give communion in both kinds, and to remove the barricades from the streets of Prague. The messengers returned home much disappointed; for they saw that the reply was a virtual denial of their request.

Queen Sophia resigned the government, and Čenek (Vincent), of Wartenberg, was appointed regent, with two lords to assist him. Sigmund did not go to Bohemia at once, but turned to Silesia, where he hoped to raise an army large enough to crush all opposition at one blow.

CRUELTIES OF THE MINERS OF KUTTENBERG.

During the armistice, the cruelties perpetrated by the miners of Kuttenberg were worse than open wat-