BOOK IX. A.D. 1618. The states of that kingdom declare war ror: not tend to lessen their discontent, particularly when it was known that Ferdinand was a most bigoted Catholic, and not disposed to use any moderation with those that had departed from the faith of the church. The Protestants, immediately after his election, were removed from the government of the provinces, the command of the armies, and all civil appointments. Suspected, hated, and thus removed from all hopes of favour, this persecuted body were not long in resolving to do justice to themselves. The states of the kingdom were assembled against the Empe. at Prague, and as the Protestants formed a considerable majority, they passed a resolution to maintain their confession of faith; to defend the liberties of the kingdom; and support each other against all that should attack either the one or the other. The Count de la Tour, a nobleman distinguished for his talents and his birth took the lead in this rebellion. was appointed the general of the nation, and having overturned the established government of Matthias, intrusted the supreme authority to thirty directors, chosen from the general states. He Silesia followed in the footsteps of Bohemia, and united with her in throwing off the given up Still it was evident that war must be the result. Both parties, therefore, commenced the most active preparations; and that scourge, which desolated Germany for upwards of thirty years, and ruined many of her finest provinces, began at this time to make its appearance in Bohemia. BOOK IX. A.D. 1618. BOOK X. BOOK X. A.D. 1618. The princes of the House of Brunswick alive at this period: CONTAINING THE HISTORY OF THE PRINCES OF THE Ar the period that those troubles commenced “the not less than thirteen princes of the House of Brunswick, all capable of bearing arms, and many of them ready to join in the contest ;-1st, William, sovereign of the small principality of Harburg, whose name and history have already been in a great measure anticipated, was then the head of the family; 2nd, Otho, the brother of William, was the next in succession; 3rd, Julius Ernest, the eldest son of Henry of Danneberg, was established at Danneberg; while 4th, Augustus, his brother, had the castle of Hitzacker; 5th, Christian, the second and eldest surviving son of William the Younger. was sovereign of Luneburg, and resided at Celle, where his brothers, Augustus, Frederick. Magnus, George, and John, had their residence also; 6th, Frederick Ulrick was Duke of Brunswick Wolfenbuttel; 7th, his brother, Christian, was Bishop of Halberstadt; while 8th, Christopher, another brother, was employed in the military service of the King of Denmark. BOOK X. A.D. 1618. The first and second of the princes in this William and Otho: list, lived, as we have stated, in retirement. They had little connexion with the bustle of the world, and dying without issue, their states devolved upon the heirs of William the Younger, Duke of Luneburg. Julius Ernest, the third in the list, passed his life in comparative obscurity, and having no issue, his states were inherited by his brother Augustus, who on the death of William of Harburg in 1642, became the head of the family. In 1634, this prince came into possession of the states of Brunswick and Wolfenbuttel, and thereby acquired an influence that made him conspicuous among the princes of the empire. His history is therefore mingled with the history of the period in which he lived, and his name and his deeds will be mentioned hereafter, as the transactions of that eventful period are considered in detail. Christian of Luneburg also, and his five sur Julius Ernest: Augustus: BOOK X. viving brothers, were so much connected with the affairs of Europe, that their annals Christian of Lune- are merged in the general records of the em burg: A.D. 1618. Frederick Ulrick. pire. Frederick Ulrick, the sixth, or more properly speaking, the eleventh prince in the list, was involved for some time in a contest with the city of Brunswick, which again denied the sovereign authority of its duke, and refused to confirm the agreement that had been made with his father; and notwithstanding that the imperial ban was still in force against the senate, they denied the authority of Frederick, and defied his power. He tried to win them over to his views by gentle means, but he tried in vain, and was at last compelled to levy troops, and to invest the city. He kept up a blockade for three months, and it was maintained with such vigilance, that the citizens finding their commerce ruined, and their provisions failing, obliged their rulers to listen to reason, and to accept of the terms offered by their sovereign. This took place in 1617. The ban of the empire was formally repealed, and Brunswick returned to her duty and allegiance. * Ernest the elder brother of this family died 1611. |