The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 59
Chap. LIX.
I. THe enemies of the Gospell trained up in Phalaris and Machiavells schoole, aimed at topping the chiefe and principall heads of the Poppy: for which thing they had a faire pretence, which formerly they fought, viz. The accusation of taking up armes against them, for though after the fight a certaine hope of pardon was granted, if laying downe their armes they would submit themselves to Cæsars mercy, (by which slight they are caught who otherwise might have escaped,) but afterwards, whom they had appointed for slaughter they apprehended, saying that the publicke liberty without the ransome of some heads could not be redeemed.
2. First of all therefore they took all such whom they could have out of the ranck of the Defenders and and Directors, and then all those whom they knew had done any thing for the common good of the country and religion, or feared that they might be able to do (those excepted who adhered not to Ferdinand) or that feared to break their faith to Frederick) these they accompany going unto banishment. About fifty men farre excelling others in godlinesse, wisdomes and courage, who had passed over their younge yeares in learning, in millitary affaires, and in travelling the rest of their age, sety apart for the Church and Commonswealth to wit by watching, by shewing dangers to the imprudent, adding courage to the prudent, by exhorting unto concord, and advising in common what they could for the best: in a word, the very flower of our nation, the lights, delights and safeguard of our Country. How therefore those were examined condemned and after what manner they were punished, how cheerfully they did suffer Martyrdome for the truth of the faith, and liberty of the Country, with my most accustomed plainness and brevity I shal declare.
3. The Pipe maketh sweet musick while the fowler catcheth the birds: more than three moneths nothing is heard but fair promises of favour and hope of impunity for all by gone trespasses; insomuch, that some came out of their lurking holes, and some returned home that were exiled, but when many had despaired of hoping, suddenly and in one hour which was the first houre of the night (even about supper time, on the 20 of February in the year 1621, they laid hold on, and captivated as many as they could come at; for every one being in their houses, unlooked for were visited by the Captaines of the City of Prague and Cæsars Judges (even as they had cast their businesse before hand) and were commanded to get up into the Waggon, wherein some were carried to the Castle of Prague, others were carried to the Prætors lodgings.
4. The next day after, Writs were issued out, whereby, aswell the absent as those that departed the Kingdome: allowing them six weeks to appeare in. Therefore on the second of Aprill, being comanded by the Herald to appear, & not one did appear. On the 5 day of April, the same common crier pronounceth sentence against them, that all such as were guilty of Treason should forfeit goods, honours and lives. The 25 of Aprill was the day perfixed for the execution of this Writ. And their names set on the Gallowes. And the next day after the sentence is pronounced against the Heires of such who lost their lives in the Rebellion, that all their goods be confiscate to the King.
5. In the moneth of May, they proceeded to the tryall of the Noblemen they had taken, and Otton Melander, and Daniel Capper, civill Lawyers, and wavering Apostates are appointed examiners, with some of the Nobility, who tire out the accused persons with a thousand unnecessary questions, desiring to extort that from them that never was, which importunate inquisition Count Schlikius was not able to endure, insomuch that rending asunder his garments, and opening his breast he said, Teare into a thousand pieces this body, and search into the innermost part of my intraills, you shall find nothing there but what I have expressed in my Apologie. The love of Liberty and Religion hath made us sheath our swords, and because God would have that Cæsars sword should prevaile, and deliver us into your hands, Gods Will be done. In like manner Budowecius and Otto de Loss using much vehemency maintained stoutly that the cause of the Orders was not made a whit the worse in regard of the success.
6. And thus a Moneth or two is spent in inquisitions, when none would yeeld, none would acknowledge himselfe in an errour, none would sue unto them, they do therefore proceed to execution; The judgement is committed to some of the Nobility under one kind, who were sworn enemies of the Gospellers. And that their cruelty may have some shew of clemency, Cæsar commanded the sentences as they were delivered to be brought to him to Vienna, which after he had mittigared he sent back againe. It is reported by some of credit, that Cæsar slept not all that night for considering on the businesse, and in the morning calling his confessor to him (P. Lainormaini) said, I adjure thee upon thy conscience to tell me, whether I may with a safe conscience pardon those that are condemned, or suffer execution to passe upon them? To whom the Confessor made this answer, O Cæsar, both are in thy power. Cæsar therefore setting pen to paper, wrote therein a pardon for some, but for others left them to the execution of the sentence with a great addition of shame and ignominy, as doth follow.
7. June the 19. which was Saturday, I know not whether on set purpose or by chance it was appointed for this days actions, the Judges being gathered together in the Palace of the Tower, gave order they should be brought forth singly, and that the sentence of condemnation (some ceremonies of terror being added for affrightment) should be proclaimed, to some death, to some perpetuall imprisonment, to others banishment, and some are reserved to the further pleasure of Cæsar, after this manner.
8. Willielmus Popeliu of Lobkowitz, and Paulus of Rziczan, were condemned to be beheaded, yet by the clemency of Ferdinand Cæsar, who was alwayes inclinable that way, he was adjudged to perpetuall imprisonment, and his goods confiscated to the King.
9. Joachimus Andrea Scehlikio Count of Passaun, was adjudged to have his right hand cut off, and his body to be cut into foure parts, and to be hanged up in high waies: but by the speciall favour of Cæsar, he was onely to be beheaded and his head and hands to be fastned to the Lattice-windows of the Tower of the Bridge of Prague on the top of a speare.
10. Wenceslaus de Budowa, in like manner to have his hand and head cut off, and his members to be fastned in a certaine place, and his four quarters in a publicke place that lookes four wayes, to be fastned to a stake, yet by the indulgence of Cæsar onely his head was cut off, and to be fastned to the Tower of the Bridge.
11. Christopher Hazan of Polcitz, to have his head cut off.
12. Casparus Kaplirius of Sulewitz although he had very much offended, yet having regard to his age (for he was very near ninty yeares of age) he had the favour to have his head cut off, and his head to stand with the rest for a spectacle.
13. Procopius Dworzetskz, Bohuslaus of Michalowitz, Frederick Bile, and Henry Otton of Loss, had the same punishment denounced against them: yet they said, for a greater severity of justice they were to be cut into four parts.
14. Iohannes Westrowecius was to have his head cut off, yet he was reserved to perpetuall imprisonment.
15. The same sentence was pronounced against Wenceslaus Felix Petipeski, but that unfortunate man a little after redeemed his shameful liberty with shameful Apostacy.
16. Dionysius Czerninus, was adjudged to have two of his fingers cut off, and after that his head, yet his fingers were not cut off.
17. Woolfgangius Hoslarus, his doome was to have been banished for ever; yet the mercy of Cæsar did so far extend to him, that he was confined onely for one whole year, to Raab a garrison Town in Hungary.
18. William Konec Chlumski was onely beheaded. Hitherto of the mittigation of the sentences that were passed against Barons and Nobility; The Citizens follow.
19. Iohannes Theodorus Sixtus; M. Valentinus Cochanus, Tobias Seeoffeck, and Christopher, all of them chiefe men of Prague, lost their lives.
20. Iohn Scultesius a Ruitenburgian, and Maximilianus of Zatemen, being eminent Citizens had their heads cut off, and fastned in the marketsplace to a paire of stocks in their respective Cities.
21 Iohannes Jessenius a Phisitian and governor of the University of Prague, who formerly had been sent on an embassie to Hungary, for which cause he was condemned to have his tonge first cut out, while he was alive, and to be quartred alive, lastly his quarters and head to be disposed of to severall places which had two pathes; yet through Cæsars clemency the execution was not according to that sentence, but he was first killed, then his tongue was cut out, and then he was beheaded and quartred.
22. Iohn Kutnave, Simeon Sussicius, and Nathaniel Woodmanius, were sentenced to be hanged.
23. Melchior Triprechius Advocate; George Zawjetam Secretary of the Chancery, and Paul Perczkam, Auditor are condemned to perpetuall imprisonmenu.
24. Wenceslaus of Gisbite, a citizen of Prague was beheaded.
25. George Hunschlidius, and Leander Rippelius. Germans both and Lawyers, Agents for some Princes of Germanie; having appealed from an inferiour to a higher Court, were condemned to have their hands and heads cut off.
26. Nicolaus Dionysius, of the Senate of the greatter Prague was to be burnt, his tongue being first cut out, yet his punishment was so mitigated, that he was onely to be nailed to a gallowes for the space of an houre, and to depart from that place.
27. Wenceſlaus Bozesius was to be burnt, lohn Swelham, and Joseph Kubinu, to be whipt and then banished.
28. Mathew Bozbonius a Phisitian should have been beheaded, but Cæsar taking commiseration on him onely kept him in prison.
26. Casparus Ustar, and Henry Kozell, Senators of new Prague were to be hanged out of the window of the Court of that City, but Cæsar out of mercifull clemency assigned the former to perpetual imprisonment, and the latter died by the sword.
30. Elias Rosinu an Elder, and Lucas Karbanus should have died by the sword, but Cæsar gave them their lives, but the former was imprisoned, and the other banished.
31. Andrew Kacaur, George Rzecitius, Mich-Witman, Simeon Wockez, to loose their lives by the sword, but Iohn Kamaritus tasted the favour of Cæsar and was onely banished for the space of one whole year.
32. Some other citizens, Abraham Angelus, lohannes Pelzrzinowski &c. were reserved untill Cæsar were certified concerning them.