This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter V george of podebrad, the protestant king One of the most interesting epochs in Bohemian history--Struggle for supremacy during the minority of Ladislav--George of Podebrad becomes regent--Disintegration of the Taborites--Question of religious rights again revived--John of Rokycan--An unconfirmed archbishop--Struggles with Rome--Brief reign of Ladislav--George of Podebrad becomes king of Bohemia--Period of religious tranquillity--Renewed conflicts and attempts to abrogate the Articles of Prague--Conflict with the papal legate--German party takes sides with Rome--George excommunicated--Alliance with Poland--Death of King George--His qualities as a statesman--Confirmation of the Polish prince--Invasion of Bohemia by Matthew of Hungary--Vladislav and the papal party--Moral delinquency of the priests--Reign of King Louis--The reformation of Martin Luther--Ferdinand and the religious quarrels in Germany--Efforts to prevent the spread of Protestantism in Bohemia--Growth of the Bohemian Brethren--The wavering policy of Maximilian--Ferdinand and the counter reformation--The Letter of Majesty The reign of George of Podebrad (14581471), the so-called Protestant king of Bohemia, is, after that of Charles iv, one of the most interesting in the history of the kingdom. As pointed out in the last chapter, Albert, duke of Austria, succeeded Sigismund; but his reign-was short, and, leaving no male heir, the Bohemians proceeded to elect Casimir, brother of King Vladislav iii of Poland. But as Albert's widow gave birth to a son a few weeks later, the election of Casimir was annulled. It was widely recognized, however, that the country needed a strong and wise ruler during the minority of Ladislav Posthumus (14391457); and this was ultimately sett