The empire of Austria: its rise and present power
* ~Kt < y. "*<*> ' x0 o CO ■ \V </> v\- -< < -V A*'** THE EMPIRE OF AUSTRIA. The Monarchies of Continental Europe. THE EMPIRE OF AUSTRIA ITS RISE AND PRESENT POWER. BY JOHN S. C. ABBOTT. - V NEW YORK: DODD, MEAD, AND COMPANY, 751 Broadway. THE US tit?! OF COHCREIS WASHINGTON Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1558, by MASON BROTHERS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. Copyright, 1877, By ESTATE OF JOHN S. C. ABBOTT. ] Stereotyped and Printed by Rand, Avery, and Company, T17 Franklin Street, Boston. PREFACE. The studies of the author of this work, for the last ten years, in writing the " History of Napoleon Bonaparte," and " The French Revolution of 1789," have necessarily made him quite familiar with the monarchies of Europe. He has met with so much that was strange and romantic in their career, that he has been interested to undertake, as it were, a biography of the Monarchies of Continental Europe — their birth, education, exploits, progress and present condition. He has commenced with Austria. There are abundant materials for this work. The Life of Austria embraces all that is wild and wonderful in history ; her early struggles for aggrandizement — the fierce strife with the Turks, as wave after wave of Moslem invasion rolled up the Danube — the long conflicts and bloody persecutions of the Reformation — the thirty years' religious war — the meteoric career of Gustavus Adolphus and Charles XII. shooting athwart the lurid storms of battle — the intrigues of Popes — the enormous pride, power and encroachments of Louis XIV. — the warfare of the Spanish succession and the Polish dis- memberment— all these events combine in a sublime tragedy which fiction may in vain attempt to parallel. VI PREFACE. It is affecting to observe in the history of Germany, through what woes humanity has passed in attaining even its present position of civilization. It is to be hoped that the human family may never again suffer what it has already endured. We shall be indeed insane if we do not gain some wisdom from the struggles and the calamities of those who have gone before us. The narrative of the career of the Austrian Em- pire, must, by contrast, excite emotions of gratitude in every American bosom. Our lines have fallen to us in pleasant places ; we have a goodly heritage. It is the author's intention soon to issue, as the second of this series, the History of the Empire of Russia. JOHN S. C. ABBOTT. Beunswick, Maine, 1859. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. EHODOLPH OP HAPSBURG. From 1232 to 1291. FAO> Hawk's Castle. — Albert, Count of Hapsburo. — Rhodolph of Hapsburg. — His Marriage and Estates. — Excommunication and its Eesults. — His Princi- ples of Honor. — A Confederacy of Barons. — Their Route. — Rhodolph'b Election as Emperor of Germany.— The Bishop's Warning. — Dissatisfac- tion at the Result of the Election. — Advantages accruing from the Pos- session OF AN INTERESTING FAMILY.— CONQUEST.— OtTOOAR ACKNOWLEDGES THK Emperor ; yet breaks his Oath of Allegiance.— Gathering Clouds. — Won- derful Escape.— Victory of Rhodolph. — His Reforms IT CHAPTER II. REIGNS OF ALBERT I., FREDERIC, ALBERT AND OTHO. From 1291 to 1347. Anecdotes of Rhodolph. — His Desire for the Election of his Son. — Hts Death. — Albert. — His Unpopularity. — Conspiracy of the Nobles. — Their Defeat. — Adolphus of Nassau chosen Emperor. — Albert's Conspiracy. — De- position of Adolphus and Election of Albert.— Death of Adolphus. — The Pope Defied. — Annexation of Bohemia. — Assassination of Albert. — Aveng- ing Fury. — The Hermit's Direction. — Frederic the Handsome. — Election of Henry, Count of Luxemburg.— His Death. — Election of Louis of Bava- kia. — Capture of Frederic. — Remarkable Confidence toward a Prisoner. — Death of Frederic. — An early Engagement. — Death of Louis. — Accession of Albert 84 CHAPTER III. RHODOLPH II., ALBERT IV. AND ALBERT V. From 1339 to 143T. Rhodolph II. — Marriage of John to Margaret.— Intriguing for the Tyrol. — Death of Rhodolph. — Accession of Power to Austria. — Dividing the Em- pire.—Delight of the Emperor Charles.— Leopold. — His Ambition and Suc- cesses.—Hedwige, Queen of Poland. — "The Coukse of true Love never did run smooth."— Unhappy Marriage of Hedwige.— Heroism of Arnold of wlnkelreid. — death of leopold. — death of albert iv. — accession of al- BERT V. — Attempts of Sigismond to bequeath to Albert V. Hungary and Bohemia , , 48 1* Viii CONTENTS. CHAPTER IY. ALBERT, LADISLAUS AND FEEDEEIC. Feom 1440 to 1489. PAGB Increasing Honors of Albert V.— Encroachments op the Titers.— The Chris- tians EOUTED.— TEEROR OF THE HUNGARIANS. — DEATH OF ALBERT. — MAGNANI- MOUS Conduct of Albert of Bavaria.— Internal Troubles.— Precocity of Ladislaus.— Fortifications raised by the Turks. — John Capistrun. — Eescub of Belgrade.— The Turks Dispersed.— Exultation over the Victory.— Death of Hunniades.— Jealousy of Ladislaus.— His Death.— Brotherly Quarrels.— Devastations by the Turks. — Invasion of Austria. — Eepeal of the Compromise.— The Emperor a Fugitive 63 CHAPTER V. THE EMPEROES FREDERIC II. AND MAXIMILIAN L From 1477 to 1500. Wanderings of the Emperor Frederic. — Proposed Alliance -with the Dukb of Burgundy.— Mutual Distrust. — Marriage of Mary.— The Age of Chiv- alry.— The Motive inducing the Lord of Praunstein to declare War- Death of Frederic II. — The Emperor's Secret. — Designs of the Turks. — Death of Mahomet II.— First Establishment of Standing Armies.— LV.e of Gunpowder. — Energy of Maximilian. — French Aggressions. — The League to expel the French.— Disappointments of Maximilian.— Bribing the Pope. Invasion of Italy. — Capture and Recapture. — The Chevalier de Bayard, 77 CHAPTER YI. MAXIMILIAN I. From 1500 to 1519. Base Treachery of the Swiss Soldiers.— Perfidy of Ferdinand of Arragon. — Appeals by Superstition. — Coalition with Spain. — The League of Cam- bray. — Infamy of the Pope. — The King's Apology. — Failure of the Plot.— Germany aroused. — Confidence of Maximilian. — Longings for the Pontifi- cal Chair. — Maximilian Bribed. — Leo X. — Dawning Prosperity. — Matri- monial Projects.— Commencement of the War of Reformation.— Sickness of Maximilian.— His last Directions. — His Death. — The Standard by which his Character is to be Judged 4 91 CHAPTER VII. CHARLES V. AND THE REFORMATION. From 1519 to 1581. Charles V. of Spain.— His Election as Emperor of Germany.— His Corona- tion.—The First Constitution.— Progress of the Reformation.— The Pope's Bull against Luther. — His Contempt fob his Holiness.— The Diet at Worms. — Frederic's Objection to the Condemnation of Luther by the Diet. CONTENTS. IX PAGB — He obtains fob Lutheb the Eight of Defense. — Luther's triumphal Mabch to the Tribunal. — Charles urged to Violate his Safe Conduct.— Luther's Patmos. — Marriage of Sister Catharine Bora to Luther. — Ter- rible Insurrection.— The Holy League. — The Protest of Spires.— Confes- sion of Augsburg. — The Two Confessions.— Compulsory Measures 106 CHAPTER VIII. CHARLES V. AND THE REFORMATION. From 1531 to 1552. Determination to crush Protestantism.— Incursion of the Turks. — Valob op the Protestants.— Preparations for renewed Hostilities. — Augmentation of the Protestant Forces. — The Council of Trent. — Mutual Consterna- tion.— Defeat of the Protestant Army. — Unlooked-for Succor. — Revolt in the Emperor's Army. — The Fluctuations of Fortune. — Ignoble Revenge. — Capture of "Wittemberg. — Protestantism apparently crushed. — Plot against Charles. — Maurice of Saxony. — A Change of Scene. — The Biteb bit— Tub Emperor humbled.— His Flight. — His determined "Will 121 CHAPTER IX. CHARLES V. AND THE TURKISH WARS. From 1552 to 1555. The Treaty of Passau. — The Emperor yields. — His continued Revebses.— Thb TOLEBATTON COMPROMISE.— MUTUAL DISSATISFACTION. — REMARKABLE DESPON- DENCY of the Emperor Charles. — His Address to the Convention at Brus- sels .The Convent of St. Justus. — Charles returns to Spain. — His Convent Life. — The Mock Burial.— His Death.— His Traits of Character.— The King's Compliment to Titian. — The Condition of Austria. — Rapid Advance of the Turks. — Reasons fob the Inaction of the Christians. — The Sultan's Method of Overcoming Difficulties. — The little Fortress of Guntz. — What it accomplished...... 186 CHAPTER X. FERDINAND I. — HIS WARS AND INTRIGUES. From 1555 to 1562. John of Tapoli.— The Instability of Compacts. — The Sultan's Demands. — A Reign of Wab. — Powers and Duties of the Monarchs of Bohemia. — Thb Diet.— The King's Desire to orush Protestantism. — The Entrance to Prague. — Terror of the Inhabitants. — The King's Conditions. — Thb Bloody Diet. — Disciplinary Measures. — The establishment of the Ordeb of Jesuits. — Abdication of Charles V. in Favor of Ferdinand. — Power of the Pope.— Paul IV. — A quiet but powerful Blow. — The Progress of thb Eefobmebs. — Attempts to reconcile the Protestants.— The unsuccessful Assembly 151 X CONTENTS. CHAPTER XI. DEATH OF FERDINAND L— ACCESSION OF MAXIMILIAN IL From 1562 to 1576. rjura The Council of Trent.— Spread of the Reformation.— Ferdinand's Attempt to influence the pope.— hl8 arguments against celibacy. — stubbornness of the Pope. — Maximilian II. — Displeasure of Ferdinand.— Motives fob NOT ABJURING THE CATHOLIC FAITH.— RELIGIOUS STRIFE IN EUROPE.— MAXIMIL- IAN'S Address to Charles IX. — Mutual Toleration. — Romantic Pastime of War.— Heroism of Nicholas, Count of Zrini.— Accession of Power to Aus- tria.—Accession of Rhodolph III.— Death of Maximilian 166 CHAPTER XII. CHARACTER OF MAXIMILIAN.— SUCCESSION OF RHODOLPH IIL From 15T6 to 1604. Character of Maximilian. — His Accomplishments.— His Wife.— Fate of his Children.— Rhodolph III.— The Liberty of Worship. — Means of Emancipa- tion.— Rhodolph's Attempts against Protestantism. — Declaration of a higher Law.— Theological Differences. — The Confederacy at Heilbrun. — The Gregorian Calendar.— Intolerance in Bohemia.— The Trap of thr Monks.— In vasion of the Turks.— Their Defeat. — Coalition with Sigismond. — Sale of Transylvania. — Rule of Basta.— The Empire captured and re- captured.—Devastation of the Country.— Treatment of Stephen Botskoi 182 CHAPTER XIII. RHODOLPH III. AND MATTHIAS. From 1604 to 1609. Botskoi's Manifesto. — Horrible Suffering in Transylvania.— Character of Botskoi. — Confidence of the Protestants.— Superstition of Rhodolph. — His Mystic Studies.— Acquirements of Matthias.— Schemes of Matthias. — His increasing Power. — Treaty with the Turks. — Demands on Rhodolph.— The Compromise. — Perfidy of Matthias. — The Margravite. — Filibustering. — The People's Diet. — A Hint to Royalty.— The Bloodless Triumph.— De- mands of the Germans.— Address of the Prince of Anhalt to the King 19S CHAPTER XIV. RHODOLPH III. AND MATTHIAS. From 1609 to 1612. Difficulties as to the Succession. — Hostility of Henry IV. to the House or Austria. — Assassination of Henry IV. — Similarity in Sully's and Napo- leon's Plans.— Exultation of the Catholics. — The Brother's Compact.— How Rhodolph kept it.— Seizure of Prague.— Rhodolph a Prisoner.— Thb CONTENTS. XI PAGB Kino's Abdication. — Conditions attached to the Crown.— Rage of Rho- dolph. — Matthias elected King. — The Emperor's Residence. — Rejoicings of the Peotestant8. — Reply of the Ambassadors. — The Nuremberg Diet. — The UNKINDEST CUT OF ALL. — RhoDOLPH'S HUMILIATION AND DEATH 213 CHAPTER XV. MATTHIAS. From 1612 to 1619. Matthias elected Emperor of Germany. — His despotic Character. — His Plans thwarted. — Mulheim. — Gathering Clouds. — Family Intrigue. — Cor- onation of Ferdinand. — His Bigotry.— Henry, Count of Thurn. — Conven- tion at Prague. — The King's Reply. — The Die cast. — Amusing Defense of an Outrage. — Ferdinand's Manifesto. — Seizure of Cardinal Klesis. — The King's Rage. — Retreat of the King's Troops.— Humiliation of Ferdinand. —The Difficulties referred.— Death of Matthias.... ^ ..-..: CHAPTER XVI. FERDINAND II. From 1619 to 1621. Possessions of the Emperor. — Power of the Protestants of Bohemia.— Gen- eral Spirit of Insurrection. — Anxiety of Ferdinand. — Insurrection led bt Count Thurn. — Unpopularity of the Emperor. — Affecting Declaration of the Emperor. — Insurrection in Vienna. — The Arrival of Succor. — Ferdi nand seeks the imperial throne. — repudiated by bohemia. — the palatin- ate. — Frederic offered the Crown of Bohemia. — Frederic crowned. — Revolt in Hungary. — Desperate Condition of TnE Emperor. — Catholic League. — The Calvinists and the Puritans. — Duplicity of the Emperor. — Foreign Combinations. — Truce between the Catholics and the Protest- ants.— The Attack upon Bohemia.— Battle of the White Mountain 245 CHAPTER XVII. FERDINAND II. From 1621 to 1629. Pusillanimity of Frederic. — Intreaties of the Citizens of Prague.— Shame- ful Flight of Frederic. — Vengeance inflicted upon Bohemia.— Protest- antism and civil Freedom. — Vast Power of the Emperor. — Alarm of Eu- rope.— James I. — Treaty of Marriage for the Prince of Wales. — Cardinal Richelieu. — New League of the Protestants. — Desolating War. — Defeat of the King of Denmark. — Energy of Wallenstein. — Triumph of Ferdi- nand.— New Acts of Intolerance. — Severities in Bohemia. — Desolation of the Kingdom.— Dissatisfaction of the Duke of Bavaria. — Meeting of the Catholic Princes. — The Emperor Humbled 261 Xll CONTENTS. CHAPTER XVIII. FEEDINAND II. AND GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS. From 1629 to 1632. PAGS Vexation of Ferdinand. — Gustavus Adolphus.— Address to the Nobles op Sweden. — March of Gustavus. — Appeal to the Protestants. — Magdeburg joins Gustavus. — Destruction of the City. — Consternation of the Protest- ants.— Exultation of the Catholics. — The Elector of Saxony driven from his Domains. — Battle of Leipsic. — The Swedes penetrate Bohemia. — Free- dom of Conscience established. — Death of Tilly. — The Retirement of Wal- lenstein. — The Command resumed by Wallenstein. — Capture of Prague.— Encounter between Wallenstein and Gustavus.— Battle of Lutzen. — Death of Gustavus 279 CHAPTER XIX. FERDINAND II., FERDINAND III. AND LEOPOLD 1. From 1632 to 1662. Character of Gustavus Adolphus. — Exultation of the Imperialists. — Dis- grace of "Wallenstein. — He offers to surrender to the Swedish General. — His Assassination.— Ferdinand's Son elected as his Successor. — Death of Ferdinand.— Close of the War. — Abdication of Christina. — Charles Gus- tavus.—Preparations for War. — Death of Ferdinand III. — Leopold elected Emperor. — Hostilities Renewed. — Death of Charles Gustavus. — Diet convened. — Invasion of the Tueks 295 CHAPTER XX. LEOPO L*D I. From 1662 to 1697. Invasion of the Turks. — A Treaty concluded. — Possessions of Leopold. — In- vasion of the French. — League of Augsburg. — Devastation of the Palati- nate.— Invasion of Hungary. — Emeric Tekeli.— Union of Emerio Tekeli with the Turks. — Leopold applies to Sobieski.— He immediately marches to his Aid. — The Turks conquered. — Sobieski's triumphal Receptions. — Meanness of Leopold. — Revenge upon Hungary. — Peace concluded. — Con- test fob Spain 81 1 CHAPTER XXI. LEOPOLD I. AND THE SPANISH SUCCESSION From 1697 to 1710. The Spanish Succession. — The Impotence of Charles II. — Appeal to the Pope. — His Decision.— Death of Charles II. — Accession of Philip V. — Indigna- tion of Austria. — The Outbreak of War. — Charles III. crowned. — Insur- rection in Hungary. — Defection of Bavaria. — The Battle of Blenheim.— CONTENTS. XU1 PAGH Death of Leopold I. — Eleonoea. — Accession of Joseph I.— Charles XII. of Sweden.— Charles III. of Spain.— Battle of Malplaquet.— Charles at Barcelona. — Charles at Madrid 32b CHAPTER XXII. JOSEPH I. AND CHARLES YI. From 1710 to 1717. 'erplexities in Madrid. — Flight of Charles. — Retreat of the Austrian Army. — Stanhope's Division cut off. — Capture of Stanhope. — Starembeeg assailed. — Retreat to Barcelona. — Attempt to pacify Hungary. — The Hun- garian Diet. — Baronial crowning of Ragotsky. — Renewal of the Hunga- rian War. — Enterprise of Herbeville. — The Hungarians crushed. — Lenity of Joseph. — Death of Joseph. — Accession of Charles VI. — His Career in Spain. — Capture of Barcelona. — The Siege. — The Rescue. — Character of Charles. — Cloisters, of Montserrat. — Increased Efforts for the Spanish Crown. — Charles crowned Emperor of Austria and Hungary. — Bohemia. — Deplorable Condition of Louis XIV 345 CHAPTER XXIII. CHARLES VI. From 1716 to 1727. Heroic Decision of Eugene. — Battle of Belgrade. — Utter Rout of the Turks. — Possessions of Charles VI. — The Elector of Hanover succeeds to the English Throne.— Preparations for War.— State of Italy. — Philip V. of Spain.— Diplomatic Agitations. — Palace of St. Ildefonso. — Order of the Golden Fleece. — Rejection of Maria Anne. — Contest for the Rock ofGib- raltar. — Dismissal of Ripperda. — Treaty of Vienna. — Peace concluded. . .. CHAPTER XXIY. CHARLES VI. AND THE POLISH WAR. From 1727 to 1735. CJardinal Fleury. — The Emperor of Austria urges the Pragmatic Sanction. — He promises his two Daughters to the two Sons of the Queen of Spain. — France, England and Spain unite against Austria. — Charles VI. issues Orders to prepare for War. — His Perplexities. — Secret Overtures to En- gland.— The Crown of Poland. — Meeting of the Polish Congress. — Stanis- laus goes to Poland. — Augustus III. crowned. — War. — Charles sends an Army to Lombard y.— Difficulties of Prince Eugene.— Charles's Displeas- ure with England.— Letter to Count Kinsky. — Hostilities renewed 878 XIV CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXV. CHAELES VI. AND THE TURKISH WAR RENEWED. From 1735 to 1739. FAGS Anxiety of Austrian Office-holders. — Maria Theresa. — The Duke of Lor- raine.— Distraction of the Emperor. — Tuscany assigned to the Duke of Lorraine. — Death of Eugene. — Rising Greatness of Russia. — New War *-ith the Turks.— Condition of the Army.— Commencement of Hostilities*— Capture of Nissa. — Inefficient Campaign. — Disgrace of Seckendorf. — The Duke of Lorraine placed in Command. — Siege of Orsova. — Belgrade be- sieged by the Turks. — The third Campaign. — Battle of Crotzka. — Defeat of the au8trians. — consternation in vienna. — barbarism of the turks. — The Surrender of Belgrade 394 CHAPTER XXVI. MARIA THERESA. From 1739 to 1741. p.nguish of the klng. — letter to the queen of russia. — the imperial circu- LAR.— Deplorable Condition of Austria. — Death of Charles VI.— Acces- sion of Maria Theresa. — Vigorous Measures of the Queen. — Claim of the Duke of Bavaria.— Responses from the Courts. — Coldness of the French Court. — Frederic of Prussia. — His Invasion of Silesia. — March of the Aus- trian.— Battle of Molnitz. — Firmness of Maria Theresa. — Proposed Divis- ion of Plunder. — Villainy of Frederic. — Interview with the King. — Char acter of Frederic. — Commencement of the general Invasion 411 CHAPTER XXVII. MARIA THERESA. From 1741 to 1743. Character of Francis, Duke of Lorraine.— Policy of European Courts. — Pla a of the Allies. — Siege of Prague. — Desperate Condition of the Queen — Hbr Coronation in Hungary. — Enthusiasm of the Barons. — Speech of Ma- ria Theresa. — Peace with Frederic of Prussia. — His Duplicity. — Military MOTEMENT OF THE DUKE OF LORRAINE. — BATTLE OF CHAZLEAU. — SECOND TREATY wiTii Frederic. — Despondency of the Duke of Bavaria. — March of Malle- boip —Extraordinary Retreat of Belleisle. — Recovery of Prague by the Queen CHAPTER XXVIII.. MARIA THERESA. From 1743 to 1748. Prosperous Aspect of Austrian Affairs. — Capture of Egra. — Vast Extent of Austria.— Dispute with Sardinia.— Marriage of Charles of Lorraine with CONTENTS. XV PAGB the Queen's Sister. — Invasion of Alsace.— Frederic overruns Bohemia. — Bohemia recovered ey Prince Charles. — Death of the Emperor Charles VII. — Venality of the old Monarchies. — Battle of Hohenfriepberg. — Sir Thomas Robinson's Interview with Maria Theresa.— Hungarian Enthu- siasm.— The Duke of Lorraine elected Emperor.— Continuation of the War. — Treaty of Peace. — Indignation of Maria Theresa 444 CHAPTER XXIX. MARIA THERESA. From 1748 to 1759. Treaty of Peace. — Dissatisfaction of Maria Theresa. — Preparation fob War.— Rupture between England and Austria.— Maria Theresa. — Al- liance with France. — Influence of Marchioness of Pompadour. — Bitter Reproaches between Austria and England. — Commencement of the Seven Years' War. — Energy of Frederic of Prussia. — Sanguinary Battles. — Vicissitudes of War. — Desperate Situation of Frederi*. — Elation of Ma- ria Theresa. — Her ambitious Plans. — Awful Defeat of the Prussians at Berlin 461 CHAPTER XXX. MARIA THERESA. From 1759 to 17S0. Desolations of War.— Disasters of Prussia. — Despondency of Frederic. — Death of the Empress Elizabeth. — Accession of Paul III.— Assassination of Paul III.— Accession of Catharine. — Discomfiture of the Austrians. — Treaty of Peace. — Election of Joseph to the Throne of the Empire. — Death of Francis. — Character of Francis. — Anecdotes. — Energy of Maria The- resa.— Poniatowski. — Partition of Poland. — Maria Theresa as a Mother. — War with Bavaria. — Peace. — Death of Maria Theresa. — Family of the -Accession of Joseph II. — His Character 478 CHAPTER XXXI. JOSEPH II. AND LEOPOLD II. From 1780 to 1792. Accession of Joseph II. — His Plans of Reform. — Pius VI. — Emancipation of the Serfs. — Joseph's Visit to his Sister, Maria Antoinette. — Ambitious De- signs.— The Imperial Sleigh Ride. — Barges on the Dneister.— Excursion to the Crimea. — War with Turkey. — Defeat of the Austrians. — Great Suc- cesses.— Death of Joseph. — His Character. — Accession of Leopold II. — His Efforts to confirm Despotism. — The French Revolution. — European Coali- tion.—Death of Leopold. — His Profligacy.— Accession of Francis II.— Pres- ent Extent and Power of Austria. — Its Army. — Policy of the Govern- XVI CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXII. AUSTRIA AND THE FRENCH REVOLUTIONS. From 1792 TO 1860. Accession of Francis II.— Campaigns against Napoleon.— The Italian Re- publics.—The Kingdom of Italy. — Hostility of England to the Feench Revolution. —The Downfall of Napoleon, and Consequent Downfall of Feee Institutions throughout Eueope.— TnE Congress of Vienna. — Ex- pulsion of the Bourbons from France. — Restoration of the Empire under Louis Napoleon.— Revolutions throughout Europe. — Hungarian Revolu- tion.—Russian Intervention.— Fall of Hungary.— Liberation of Italy.— Present Prospects 505 CHAPTER I. EHODOLPH OP HAPSBURG. From 1232 to 1291. Hawk's Castle. — Albeet, Count of Hapsbueg.— Rhodolph of HApsbtteg. — Hra Mabriage and Estates. — Excommunication and its Results. — His Principles of Honoe. — A Confederacy of Barons.— Theie Route.— Rhodolph's Election as Emperor of Germany. — The Bishop's Warning.— Dissatisfaction at the Result of the Election. — Advantages accruing from the Possession of an interesting Family. — Conquest. — Ottocar acknowledges the Emperor; yet breaks his Oath of Allegiance. — Gathering Clouds. — Wonderful Escape. — Victory of Rhodolph. — His Refoems. TN the small canton of Aargau, in Switzerland, on a rocky -*- bluff of the Wulpelsberg, there still remains an old baronial castle, called Hapsburg, or Hawk's Castle. It was reared in the eleventh century, and was occupied by a succession of warlike barons, who have left nothing to distinguish them- selves from the feudal lords whose castles, at that period, frowned upon almost every eminence of Europe. In the year 1232 this castle was occupied by Albert, fourth Count of Hapsburg. He had acquired some little reputation for military prowess, the only reputation any one could acquire in that dark age, and became ambitious of winning new lau- rels in the war with the infidels in the holy land. Religious fanaticism and military ambition were then the two great powers which ruled the human soul. "With the usual display of semi-barbaric pomp, Albert made arrangements to leave his castle to engage in the perilous holy war against the Saracens, from which few ever returned. A few years were employed in the necessary preparations. At the sound of the bugle the portcullis was raised, the draw- 1* 1 18 THE HOUSE OP AUSTRIA. bridge spanned the moat, and Albert, at the head of thirty steelclad warriors, with nodding plumes, and banners un- furled, emerged from the castle, and proceeded to the neigh- boring convent of Mari. His wife, Hedwige, and their three sons, Rhodolph, Albert and Hartman, accompanied him to the chapel where the ecclesiastics awaited his arrival. A multitude of vassals crowded around to witness the im- posing ceremonies of the church, as the banners were blessed and the knights, after having received the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, were commended to the protection of God. Albert felt the solemnity of the hour, and in solemn tones gave his farewell address to his children. "My sons," said the steel-clad warrior, "cultivate truth and piety; give no ear to evil counselors, never engage in unnecessary war, but when you are involved in war be strong and brave. Love peace even better than your own personal interests. Remember that the counts of Hapsburg did not attain their heights of reputation and glory by fraud, inso- lence or selfishness, but by courage and devotion to the public weal. As long as you follow their footsteps, you will not only retain, but augment, the possessions and dignities of your illustrious ancestors." The tears and sobs of his wife and family interrupted him while he uttered these parting words. The bugles then Bounded. The knights mounted their horses ; the clatter of hoofs was heard, and the glittering cavalcade soon disappeared in the forest. Albert had left his ancestral castle, never to re- turn. He had but just arrived in Palestine, when he was taken sick at Askalon, and died in the year 1240. Rhodolph, his eldest son, was twenty-two years of age at the time of his father's death. Frederic II., one of the most renowned monarchs of the middle ages, was then Emperor of that conglomeration of heterogeneous States called Germany. Each of these States had its own independent ruler and laws, but they were all held together by a common bond for mutual RHODOLPH OF HAPSBTJEG. 19 protection, and some one illustrious sovereign was chosen as Emperor of Germany, to preside over their common affairs. The Emperor of Germany, having influence over all these States, was consequently, in position, the great man of the age. Albert, Count of Hapsburg, had been one of the favorite captains of Frederic II. in the numerous wars which desolated Europe in that dark age. He was often at court, and the em- peror even condescended to present his son Rhodolph at the font for baptism. As the child grew, he was trained to all athletic feats, riding ungovernable horses, throwing the jave- lin, wrestling, running, and fencing. He early gave indica- tions of surprising mental and bodily vigor, and, at an age when most lads are considered merely children, he accom- panied his father to the camp and to the court. Upon the death of his father, Rhodolph inherited the ancestral castle, and the moderate possessions of a Swiss baron. He was sur- rounded by barons of far greater wealth and power than him- self and his proud spirit was roused, in disregard of his father's counsels, to aggrandize his fortunes by force of arms, the only way then by which wealth and power could be attained. He exhausted his revenues by maintaining a princely establish- ment, organized a well-selected band of his vassals into a mili- tary corps, which he drilled to a state of perfect discipline, and then commenced a series of incursions upon his neighbors. From some feeble barons he won territory, thus extending his domains ; from others he extorted money, thus enabling him to reward his troops, and to add to their number by engaging fearless spirits in his service wherever he could find them. In the year 1245, Rhodolph strengthened himself still more by an advantageous marriage with Gertrude, the beau- tiful daughter of the Count of Hohenberg. With his bride he received as her dowry the castle of Oeltingen, and very con- siderable territorial possessions. Thus in five years Rhodolph, by that species of robbery which was then called heroic ad- 20 THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA. venture, and by a fortunate marriage, had more than doubled his hereditary inheritance. The charms of his bride, and the care of his estates seem for a few years to have arrested the progress of his ambition ; for we can find no further notice of him among the ancient chronicles for eight years. But, with almost all men, love is an ephemeral passion, which is event- ually vanquished by other powers of the soul. Ambition slum- bered for a little time, but was soon roused anew, invigorated by repose. In 1253 we find Rhodolph heading a foray of steel-clad knights, with their banded followers, in a midnight attack upon the city of Basle. They break over all the defenses, sweep all opposition before them, and in the fury of the fight, either by accident or as a necessity of war, sacrilegiously set fire to a nunnery. For this crime Rhodolph was excommu- nicated by the pope. Excommunication was then no farce. There were few who dared to serve a prince upon whom the denunciations of the Church had fallen. It was a stunning blow, from which few men could recover. Rhodolph, instead of sinking in despair, endeavored, by new acts of obedience and devotion to the Church, to obtain the revocation of the sentence. In the region now called Prussia, there was then a barbaric pngan race, against whom the pope had published a crusade. Into this war the excommunicated Rhodolph plunged with all the impetuosity of his nature ; he resolved to work out abso- lution, by converting, with all the potency of fire and sword, the barbarians to the Church. His penitence and zeal seem to have been accepted, for we soon find him on good terms again with the pope. He now sought to have a hand in every quar- rel, far and near. Wherever the sounds of war are raised, the shout of Rhodolph is heard urging to the strife. In every hot and fiery foray, the steed of Rhodolph is rearing and plunging, and his saber strokes fall in ringing blows upon cuirass and helmet. He efficiently aided the city of Stras- EHODOLPH OP HAPSBUEG. 21 bourg in their war against their bishop, and received from them in gratitude extensive territories, while at the same time they reared a monument to his name, portions of which still exist. His younger brother died, leaving an only daughter, Anne, with a large inheritance. Rhodolph, as her guardian, came into possession of the counties of Kybur'g, Lentzburg and Baden, and other scattered domains. This rapidly-increasing wealth and power, did but increase his energy and his spirit of encroachment. And yet he adopted principles of honor which were far from common in that age of barbaric violence. He would never stoop to or- dinary robbery, or harass peasants and helpless travelers, as was constantly done by the turbulent barons around him. His warfare was against the castle, never against the cottage. He met in arms the panoplied knight, never the timid and crouching peasant. He swept the roads of the banditti by which they were infested, and often espoused the cause of citi- zens and freemen against the turbulent barons and haughty prelates. He thus gained a wide-spread reputation for justice, as well as for prowess, and the name of Rhodolph of Haps- burg was ascending fast into renown. Every post of author- ity then required the agency of a military arm. The feeble cantons would seek the protection of a powerful chief; the citizens of a wealthy town, ever liable to be robbed by bishop or baron, looked around for some warrior who had invincible troops at his command for their protection. Thus Rhodolph of Hapsburg was chosen chief of the mountaineers of Uri, Schweitz and Underwalden ; and all their trained bands were ready, when his bugle note echoed through their defiles, to follow him unquestioning, and to do his bidding. The citizens of Zurich chose Rhodolph of Hapsburg as their prefect or mayor ; and whenever his banner was unfurled in their streets, all the troops of the city were at his command. The neighboring barons, alarmed at this rapid aggrandize- ment of Rhodolph, formed an alliance to crush him. The 22 THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA. mountaineers heard his bugle call, and rushed to his aid. Zurich opened her gates, and her niarshaled troops hastened to his banner. From Hapsburg, and Rheinfelden, and Sua- bia, and Brisgau, and we know not how many other of the territorial possessions of the count, the vassals rushed to the aid of their lord. They met in one of the valleys of Zurich. The battle was short, and the confederated barons were put to utter flight. Some took refuge in the strong castle of Balder, upon a rocky cliff washed by the Albis. Rhodolph selected thirty horsemen and thirty footmen. " Will you follow me," said he, " in an enterprise where the honor will be equal to the peril ?" A universal shout of assent was the response. Concealing the footmen in a thicket, he, at the head of thirty horsemen, rode boldly to the gates of the castle, bidding defiance, with all the utterances and gesticulations of contempt, to the whole garrison. Those on the ramparts, stung by the insult, rushed out to chastise so impudent a challenge. The footmen rose from their ambush, and assailants and assailed rushed pell mell in at the open gates of the castle. The garrison were cut down or taken captive, and the fortress demolished. Another party had fled to the castle of Uttleberg. By an ingenious stratagem, this castle was also taken. Success succeeded suc- cess with such rapidity, that the confederate barons, struck with consternation, exclaimed, " All opposition is fruitless. Rhodolph of Hapsburg is in- vincible." They consequently dissolved the alliance, and sought peace on terms which vastly augmented the power of the conqueror. Basle now incurred the displeasure of Rhodolph. He led his armies to the gates of the city, and extorted satisfaction. The Bishop of Basle, a haughty prelate of great military power, and who could summon many barons to his aid, ventured to make arrogant demands of this warrior flushed with victory. The palace and vast possessions of the bishop were upon the EHODOLPH OP HAPSBURG. 23 other* side of the unbridged Rhine, and the bishop imagined that he could easily prevent the passage of the river. But Rhodolph speedily constructed a bridge of boats, put to flight the troops which opposed his passage, drove the peasants of the bishop everywhere before him, and burned their cottages and their fields of grain. The bishop, appalled, sued for a truce, that they might negotiate terms of peace. Rhodolph con- sented, and encamped his followers. He was asleep in his tent, when a messenger entered at midnight, awoke him, and informed him that he was elected Emperor of Germany. The previous emperor, Richard, had died two years before, and after an interregnum of two years of almost unparalleled anarchy, the electors had just met, and, almost to their own surprise, through the fluctuations and combinations of political intrigue, had chosen Rhodolph of Hapsburg as his successor. Rhodolph himself was so much astonished at the announcement, that for some time he could not be persuaded that the intelligence was correct. To wage war against the Emperor of Germany, who could lead almost countless thousands into the field, was a very dif- ferent affair from measuring strength with the comparatively feeble Count of Hapsburg. The news of his election flew rap- idly. Basle threw open her gates, and the citizens, with illu- minations, shouts, and the ringing of bells, greeted the new emperor. The bishop was so chagrined at the elevation of his foe, that he smote his forehead, and, looking to heaven, pro- fanely said, u Great God, take care of your throne, or Rhodolph of Hapsburg will take it from you !" Rhodolph was now fifty-five years of age. Alphonso, King of Castile, and Ottocar, King of Bohemia, had both been can- didates for the imperial crown. Exasperated by the unex- pected election of Rhodolph, they both refused to acknowledge his election, and sent ambassadors with rich presents to the pope to win him also to their side. Rhodolph, justly appre- 24 THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA. dating the power of the pope, sent him a letter couched in those terms which would be most palatable to the pontiff. " Turning all my thoughts to Him," he wrote, " under whose authority we live, and placing all my expectations on you alone, I fall down before the feet of your Holiness, be- seeching you, with the most earnest supplication, to favor me with your accustomed kindness in my present undertaking ; and that you will deign, by your mediation with the Most High, to support my cause. That I may be enabled to per- form what is most acceptable to God and to His holy Church, may it graciously please your Holiness to crown me with the imperial diadem ; for I trust I am both able and willing to undertake and accomplish whatever you and the holy Church shall think proper to impose upon me." Gregory X. was a humane and sagacious man, influenced by a profound zeal for the peace of Europe and the propaga- tion of the Christian faith. Gregory received the ambassadors of Rhodolph graciously, extorted from them whatever conces- sions he desired on the part of the emperor, and pledged his support. Ottocar, King of Bohemia, still remained firm, and even malignant, in his hostility, utterly refusing to recognize the emperor, or to perform any of those acts of fealty which were his due. He declared the electoral diet to have been illegally convened, and the election to have been the result of fraud, and that a man who had been excommunicated for burning a convent, was totally unfit to wear the imperial crown. The diet met at Augsburg, and irritated by the contumacy of Ottocar, sent a command to him to recognize the au thority of the emperor, pronouncing upon him the ban of the empire should he refuse. Ottocar dismissed the ambas- sadors with defiance and contempt from his palace at Prague, saying, " Tell Rhodolph that he may rule over the territories of the empire, but he shall have no dominion over mine. It is a BHODOLPH OF HAPSBURG. 25 disgrace to Germany, that a petty count of Hapsburg should have been preferred to so many powerful sovereigns." War, and a fearful one, was now inevitable. Ottocar was a veteran soldier, a man of great intrepidity and energy, and his pride was thoroughly roused. By a long series of aggres- sions he had become the most powerful prince in Europe, and he could lead the most powerful armies into the field. His dominions extended from the confines of Bavaria to Raab in Hungary, and from the Adriatic to the shores of the Baltic. The hereditary domains of the Count of Hapsburg were com- paratively insignificant, and were remotely situated at the foot of the Alps, spreading through the defiles of Alsace and Sua- bia. As emperor, Rhodolph could call the armies of the Ger- manic princes into the field ; but these princes moved reluc- tantly, unless roused by some question of great moment to them all. And when these heterogeneous troops of the empire were assembled, there was but a slender bond of union between them. But Rhodolph possessed mental resources equal to the emergence. As cautious as he was bold, as sagacious in coun- cil as he was impetuous in action, he calmly, and with great foresight and deliberation, prepared for the strife. To a mon- arch in such a time of need, a family of brave sons and beau- tiful daughters, is an inestimable blessing. Rhodolph secured the Duke of Sclavonia by making him the happy husband of one of his daughters. His son Albert married Elizabeth, daughter of the Count of Tyrol, and thus that powerful and noble family was secured. Henry of Bavaria he intimidated, and by force of arms compelled him to lead his troops to the standard of the emperor ; and then, to secure his fidelity, gave his daughter Hedwige to Henry's son Otho, in marriage, promising to his daughter as a dowry a portion of Austria, which was then a feeble duchy upon the Danube, but little larger than the State of Massachusetts. Ottocar was but little aware of the tremendous energies 2 26 THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA. of the foe he had aroused. Regarding Rhodolph almost with contempt, he had by no means made the arrangements which his peril demanded, and was in consternation when he heard that Rhodolph, in alliance with Henry of Bavaria, had already entered Austria, taken possession of several fortresses, and, at the head of a force of a thousand horsemen, was carrying all before him, and was triumphantly marching upon Vienna. Rhodolph had so admirably matured his plans, that his ad- vance seemed rather a festive journey than a contested con- quest. With the utmost haste Ottocar urged his troops down through the defiles of the Bohemian mountains, hoping to save the capital. But Rhodolph was at Vienna before him, where he was joined by others of his allies, who were to meet him at that rendezvous. Vienna, the capital, was a fortress of great strength. Upon this frontier post Charlemagne had es- tablished a strong body of troops under a commander who was called a margrave ; and for some centuries this city, com- manding the Danube, had been deemed one of the strongest defenses of the empire against Mohammedan invasion. Vi- enna, unable to resist, capitulated. The army of Ottocar had been so driven in their long and difficult march, that, exhausted and perishing for want of provisions, they began to mutiny. The pope had excommunicated Ottocar, and the terrors of the curse of the pope, were driving captains and nobles from his service. The proud spirit of Ottocar, after a terrible struggle, was utterly crushed, and he humbly sued for peace. The terms were hard for a haughty spirit to bear. The conquered king was compelled to renounce all claim to Austria and sev- eral other adjoining provinces, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and Windischmark ; to take the oath of allegiance to the emperor, and publicly to do him homage as his vassal lord. To cement this compulsory friendship, Rhodolph, who was rich in daugh- ters, having six to proffer as bribes, gave one, with an abun- dant dowry in silver, to a son of Ottocar. The day was appointed for the king, in the presence of the EHODOLPH OF HAPSBUEG. 27 whole army, to do homage to the emperor as his liege lord. It was the 25th of November, 1276. With a large escort ot Bohemian nobles, Ottocar crossed the Danube, and was re- ceived by the emperor in the presence of many of the leading princes of the empire. The whole army was drawn up to wit- ness the spectacle. With a dejected countenance, and with indications, which he could not conceal, of a crushed and broken spirit, Ottocar renounced these valuable provinces, and kneeling before the emperor, performed the humiliating cere- mony of feudal homage. The pope in consequence withdrew his sentence of excommunication, and Ottocar returned to his mutilated kingdom, a humbler and a wiser man. Rhodolph now took possession of the adjacent provinces which had been ceded to him, and, uniting them, placed them under the government of Louis of Bavaria, son of his firm ally Henry, the King of Bavaria. Bavaria bounded Austria on the west, and thus the father and the son would be in easy cooperation. He then established his three sons, Albert, Hartmann, and Rhodolph, in different parts of these provinces, and, with his queen, fixed his residence at Vienna. Such was the nucleus of the Austrian empire, and such the commencement of the powerful monarchy which for so many generations has exerted so important a control over the affairs of Europe. Ottocar, however, though he left Rhodolph with the strongest protestations of friendship, re- turned to Prague consumed by the most torturing fires of humiliation and chagrin. His wife, a haughty woman, who was incapable of listening to the voice of judgment when her passions were inflamed, could not conceive it possible that a petty count of Hapsburg could vanquish her renowned hus- band in the field. And when she heard that Ottocar had ac- tually done fealty to Rhodolph, and had surrendered to him valuable provinces of the kingdom, no bridle could be put upon her woman's tongue. She almost stung her husband to madness with taunts and reproaches. 28 THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA. Thus influenced by the pride of his queen, Cunegunda, Ot- tocar violated his oath, refused to execute the treaty, impris- oned in a convent the daughter whom Rhodolph had given to his son, and sent a defiant and insulting letter to the emperor. 