John Of Nepomuk, However, Refused, Even Though
The King With His Own Hand Burned Him With A Torch.
Irritated by
his obstinate silence, the king caused the poor monk to be cast over
the bridge into the Moldau.
This monk was afterwards canonised, and
made the patron saint of bridges. - ED.
{8} Albert von Wallenstein (or Waldstein), the famous Duke of
Friedland, is celebrated as one of the ablest commanders of the
imperial forces during the protracted religious contest known in
German history as the "Thirty Years' War." During its earlier
period Wallenstein greatly distinguished himself, and was created by
the Emperor Ferdinand Duke of Friedland and generalissimo of the
imperial forces. In the course of a few months Wallenstein raised
an army of forty thousand men in the Emperor's service. The
strictest discipline was preserved WITHIN his camp, but his troops
supported themselves by a system of rapine and plunder unprecedented
even in those days of military license. Merit was rewarded with
princely munificence, and the highest offices were within the reach
of every common soldier who distinguished himself; - trivial breaches
of discipline were punished with death. The dark and ambitious
spirit of Wallenstein would not allow him to rest satisfied with the
rewards and dignities heaped upon him by his imperial master. He
temporised and entered into negotiations with the enemy; and during
an interview with a Swedish general (Arnheim), is even said to have
proposed an alliance to "hunt the Emperor to the devil." It is
supposed that he aspired to the sovereignty of Bohemia.
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