to compete (or co-operate) with the Assembly as regards some questions relative to legislation. This co-operation is the true reflection of the co-operation of the Czech Assembly with the Country Courts of Justice both of which were equally legislative bodies.
The tithe of the Church, as well as a three days’ income of the prince and his subjects, were to constitute the financial fund of the League. The treasurer was authorized to collect these contributions, the particulars of which were to be determined by the Assembly even by force.
V.
This description of George of Poděbrad’s Peace federation clearly shows that its object was to bring about a League of States with a well defined aim and a solid organisation.
It had no predecessor; for the primitive idea of the French Dubois, from the year 1306, is not worthy of this designation. On the other hand, we meet with a similar idea in a plan conceived more than a century later by the French minister Sully who under king Henry IV., projected the creation of a federal republic of 15 European states.
The great device of George of Poděbrad did not succeed. The Pope was then still mighty enough to frustrate it. Nevertheless, this plan, as an interesting essay, still holds an honorable place in international law. At the same time it constitutes a lasting proof and document of the Czech king George of Poděbrad’s penetrating intellect, of his worldly wisdom and superior statesmanship, by virtue of which he rose above his whole epoch, striving after such achievements as only were attained many centuries later and after many cruel wars.
