CHAPTER XV.
PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS.
The death of the queen mother produced almost a revolution in Bohemia. Immediately the national party gave way to the court and clerical party. Not, however, until nearly two years after did Zawis retire to his estate, still retaining the avowed leadership of the opposition to the encroachments of the Habsburg dynasty. The years 1285 and 1286 found Zawis and the young king employed in reducing refractory barons, especially in Moravia. Here Wenzel received his first practical lessons in actual military operations. The great minister supplied every opportunity to his royal pupil to acquire the full education of a ruler.
At once started into prominence a host of enemies, each of whom preferred some grievance. One had suffered imprisonment for brigandage; another had been compelled to surrender a portion of the royal domains; a third had been refused an official place, and had seen it bestowed on arival neighbor. The court resounded with clamors. The truth of these complaints demonstrated the justness of the suffering in each case. But the remonstrants well knew that their partisanship would find welcome, however their denunciations might be despised. Such persons fail to
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