themselves never again to accept the government of Austria. They then obtained aid from Charles Emanuel, the Duke of Savoy, and from the princes of the German League. The League sent an army of 14,000 men, under the command of Ernest, the Count of Mansfield. He besieged and took Pilsen, a city notorious in Bohemian history for its loyalty to the enemies of the country. This alliance with the German princes soon brought about a union with Silesia and Lusatia, and for a while all seemed to promise a successful issue to the struggle. General Buquoi was shut up in Budweis, while some of his troops were pursued into Austria.
The winter put an end to active warfare, and negotiations were entered into in regard to peace. Several of the German princes, not belonging to the League, offered their services as mediators, and even went so far as to threaten to join their armies with those of the emperor, unless the Bohemians accepted his terms and ended the war. But before anything could be accomplished, Matthias died, March 20, 1619, and affairs immediately assumed a more serious aspect.
FERDINAND II.
Ferdinand II, as crowned Kjng of Bohemia, announced the death of his predecessor by a letter addressed to the former regents, thus confirming them in their office, and at the same time disclaiming the authority of the Directors. He, however, promised to preserve the liberties of the realm as he had agreed in his coronation oath, also the Letter of Majesty, and to make every effort to restore peace and order to the land. But the Protestants, having lost faith in him,
