The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 102
Chap. 102.
The Reformation of Prachatice.
THe Reformation of the Inhabitants of Prachatice (as a little after the Inhabitants of Pisek) was begun in bloud. For when the Citizens with a small-force couragiously resisted for three dayes the Imperiall Army passing that way, then being about to yield themselves, they came down from the walls and forts, and prepared to carry out the keys, the enemy furiously assaulting the gate, broke it open, and first kil’d the Maior of the City, bringing the keyes, and then other men whom they met, and the youth; that within three houres one thousand six hundred and sixty Citizens were slain; scarce ten, whom slight or some deeper lurking place had saved from their fury. It was a fearfull spectacle to see carcases thrown about through the streets and houses, exceedingly dirty, and shamefully naked: neither was there any one for some dayes to bury the dead bodies. At length two pious Matrons Christina and Benigna (sifters of Alexander Rumpalius a Citizen and Alderman of Prague) put to their hands, and bring their husbands, and Maximilian Rumpalius their brother (an Alderman) to the grave which they had digg’d with their own hands, and cover them with earth, perswading those that remained with their example and speech to the imitation of their piety.
2. This City when it begun again to be inhabited by the Survivers, and others flocking from other places, the Emperour gave to the Prince of Eckenberg, together with the Towns subjet to it Baworow and Strunkonitz, and all the Villages. In the year 1625. it was promised them by the Commissioners of reformation, that if they would become Catholicks, their Liberty, Priviledges, and Towns, with the Villages, should be restored. They refusing, were prohibited from their works and trades; and so put the disobedient persons, men, women, sonnes and daughters, in divers prisons, and miserably afflicted them four whole moneths, At length being made Catholicks, nothing was restored to them, that there might not want a testimony that these bloudy promisers were his progeny, who promiseth all things, and performeth nothing.
3. But what need we relate more? It is sufficiently apparent by these, how wickedly, cruelly, and impudently they proceeded against free-men. For whatsoever was done with the other free Cities, not mentioned here, was made up of the same impostures, deceits, tyranny, and impudence. We shall adde some examples how they handled the mixt multitude.