The

The Hello and welcome to a history of Europe, Kibato's Part 2 of 7, The Bohemian Revolt

Historians have debated long and hard what the 30 years war was about in essence, a struggle against the Habsburgs, general dynastic disputes, or a religious conflict.

For sure, a large number of interlocking conflicts played into the war.

Alden agreed, however, on the trigger for the war, the famous de-finestration of Prague of 1618

and the subsequent revolt in Bohemia against the Habsburgs.

The Grand Chancellor of Bohemia since 59 was Denko Lubkiewicz, a member of one of the great aristocratic families on part of a powerful Catholic minority in the court.

From the beginning he did what he could to undermine the so-called Letter of Majesty,

an agreement signed by Emperor Rudolf II to grant religious tolerance to both Protestant and Catholic citizens. Lobkowitz was part of a wider effort in Central Europe by Catholic leaders to reverse the tide of Protestantism,

of movement known to history as the Counter-Reformation.

Central to this was a religious order known as the Society of Jesus, whose members, the Jesuits,

played an important role in trying to win back to Catholicism and number of European countries,

which had become predominantly Protestant.

Around the turn of the 17th century, they were making good progress in placing more Catholics in positions of power, such as local councils and the clergy.

However, their hard-line policies were creating increasing tensions and alienated previously moderate Protestants.

Under the rule of Holy Roman emperors, Rudolf II and Matthias, the movement lacked central leadership,

with much disagreement among Catholics as to the best balance of militancy and toleration.

Matthias was elected as Emperor in the year 1612, his lands comprising numerous German

principalities, as well as Austria, Hungary and Bohemia. He believed that the perpetual threat

of the Ottoman Turks made it prudent to refrain too much from interfering with the privileges

enjoyed by subjects for fear of revolt.

He accepted, albeit with bad grace, the terms imposed upon him by the letter of majesty.

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