[CHAPTER VIII.]
CHARLES V. AND THE REFORMATION.
From 1531 to 1552.
Determination to crush Protestantism.—Incursion of the Turks.—Valor of the Protestants.—Preparations for renewed Hostilities.—Augmentation of the Protestant Forces.—The Council of Trent.—Mutual Consternation.—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 Biter Bit—The Emperor humbled.—His Flight.—His determined Will. Page 121
[CHAPTER IX.]
CHARLES V. AND THE TURKISH WARS.
From 1552 to 1555.
The Treaty of Passau.—The Emperor yields.—His continued Reverses.—The Toleration Compromise.—Mutual Dissatisfaction.—Remarkable Despondency of the Emperor Charles.—His Address to the Convention at Brussels.—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 for the Inaction of the Christians.—The Sultan's Method of Overcoming Difficulties.—The little Fortress of Guntz.—What it accomplished. Page 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 War.—Powers and Duties of the Monarchs of Bohemia.—The Diet.—The King's Desire to crush Protestantism.—The Entrance to Prague.—Terror of the Inhabitants.—The King's Conditions.—The Bloody Diet.—Disciplinary Measures.—The establishment of the Order of Jesuits.—Abdication of Charles V. in Favor of Ferdinand.—Power of the Pope.—Paul IV.—A quiet but powerful Blow.—The Progress of the Reformers.—Attempts to reconcile the Protestants.—The unsuccessful Assembly. Page 151
[CHAPTER XI.]
DEATH OF FERDINAND I.—ACCESSION OF MAXIMILIAN II.
From 1562 to 1576.
The Council of Trent.—Spread of the Reformation.—Ferdinand's Attempt to influence the Pope.—His Arguments against Celibacy.—Stubbornness of the Pope.—Maximilian II.—Displeasure of Ferdinand.—Motives for not abjuring the Catholic Faith.—Religious Strife in Europe.—Maximilian's Address to Charles IX.—Mutual Toleration.—Romantic Pastime of War.—Heroism of Nicholas, Count of Zeini.—Accession of Power to Austria.—Accession of Rhodolph III.—Death of Maximilian. Page 166
[CHAPTER XII.]
CHARACTER OF MAXIMILIAN.—SUCCESSION OF RHODOLPH III.
From 1576 to 1604.