the Diet what he desired; but he dared not do so without the consent of the Pope.
Messengers were immediately sent to Rome, and eight months elapsed before they returned with the unwelcome news that the Church would never consent to such innovations. This threw the king in a great dilemma; it was equally perilous either to grant or refuse the request of the Diet. He therefore determined to seek safety in a compromise. The churches were granted the privilege of electing “Defenders,” who should guard their rights, and by whom they were to be governed in matters of faith. As this virtually removed the new churches from the authority of the old Consistory, the Diet was satisfied, and willing to acquiesce in the demands of their sovereign; and accordingly the desired subsidy was voted, and Rudolph was declared the rightful heir of the Bohemian crown.
During the brief reign of Maximilian, the Bohemians gained much religious liberty, and Protestantism greatly increased in strength and numbers. The more progressive people looked with great hopes to the future; but, unfortunately, their good king, long in feeble health, died after a reign of but three years, being in his fifty-eighth year.
RUDOLPH II.
Rudolph II, who succeeded Maximilian both as king and emperor, did not resemble his father either in nobility of character or enlightenment of mind. Educated in Spain by the Jesuits, he was intolerant even from childhood. His mind, naturally gloomy and dull, was not at all brightened by the mass of
