He consequently sent envoys to his brother.  They met at Liebau, and after a negotiation of four days they made a partial compromise, by which Rhodolph ceded to Matthias, without reservation, Hungary, Austria and Moravia.  Matthias was also declared to be the successor to the crown of Bohemia should Rhodolph die without issue male, and Matthias was immediately to assume the title of “appointed King of Bohemia.”  The crown and scepter of Hungary were surrendered to Matthias.  He received them with great pomp at the head of his army, and then leading his triumphant battalions out of Bohemia, he returned to Vienna and entered the city with all the military parade of a returning conqueror.

Matthias had now gained his great object, but he was not at all inclined to fulfill his promises.  He assembled the nobles of Austria, to receive from them their oaths of allegiance.  But the Protestants, taught caution by long experience, wished first to see the decree of toleration which he had promised.  Many of the Protestants, at a distance from the capital, not waiting for the issuing of the decree, but relying upon his promise, reestablished their worship, and the Lord of Inzendorf threw open his chapel to the citizens of the town.  But Matthias was now disposed to play the despot.  He arrested the Lord of Inzendorf, and closed his church.  He demanded of all the lords, Protestant as well as Catholic, an unconditional oath of allegiance, giving vague promises, that perhaps at some future time he would promulgate a decree of toleration, but declaring that he was not bound to do so, on the miserable quibble that, as he had received from Rhodolph a hereditary title, he was not bound to grant any thing but what he had received.

The Protestants were alarmed and exasperated.  They grasped their arms; they retired in a body from Vienna to Hern; threw garrisons and provisions into several important fortresses; ordered a levy of every fifth man; sent to Hungary and Moravia to rally their friends there, and with amazing energy and celerity formed a league for the defense of their faith.  Matthias was now alarmed.  He had not anticipated such energetic action, and he hastened to Presburg, the capital of Hungary, to secure, if possible, a firm seat upon the throne.  A large force of richly caparisoned troops followed him, and he entered the capital with splendor, which he hoped would dazzle the Hungarians.  The regal crown and regalia, studded with priceless jewels, which belonged to Hungary, he took with him, with great parade.  Hungary had been deprived of these treasures, which were the pride of the nation, for seventy years.  But the Protestant nobles were not to be cajoled with such tinsel.  They remained firm in their demands, and refused to accept him as their sovereign until the promised toleration was granted.  Their claims were very distinct and intelligible, demanding full toleration for both Calvinists and Lutherans, and equal eligibility for