Protestantism in Poland and Bohemia - James Aitken Wylie
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to beg the electors not to recognize him as K<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
<strong>Bohemia</strong> by admitt<strong>in</strong>g him to a seat <strong>in</strong> the electoral<br />
college. Not only did the electors admit Ferd<strong>in</strong><strong>and</strong><br />
as still sovereign of <strong>Bohemia</strong>, but they conferred<br />
upon him the vacant diadem.<br />
The <strong>Bohemia</strong>ns saw that they were <strong>in</strong> an evil<br />
case. The bigoted Ferd<strong>in</strong><strong>and</strong>, whom they had made<br />
more their enemy than ever by repudiat<strong>in</strong>g him as<br />
their k<strong>in</strong>g, was now the head of the "Holy Roman<br />
Empire."<br />
The <strong>Bohemia</strong>ns had gone too far to retreat.<br />
They could not prevent the electors conferr<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
imperial diadem upon Ferd<strong>in</strong><strong>and</strong>, but they were<br />
resolved that he should never wear the crown of<br />
<strong>Bohemia</strong>. They chose Frederick, Elector-Palat<strong>in</strong>e,<br />
as their sovereign. He was a Calv<strong>in</strong>ist, son-<strong>in</strong>-law<br />
of <strong>James</strong> I. of Engl<strong>and</strong>; <strong>and</strong> five days after his<br />
arrival <strong>in</strong> Prague, he <strong>and</strong> his consort were crowned<br />
with very great pomp, <strong>and</strong> took possession of the<br />
palace.<br />
Scarcely had the bells ceased to r<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
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