[XXIV]
BOHEMIA IN BRITISH STATE PAPERS AND MANUSCRIPTS
In the compilation of the material here given the authors have consulted and drawn from the following sources:
Close Rolls, preserved in the Public Record Office; Calendar of the Patent Rolls; Calendar of entries in the Papal Registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland; Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic of the reign of Henry VIII., preserved in the Public Record Office, the British Museum and elsewhere in England; Calendar of State Papers, of the reign of successive English Kings; Rolls of Parliament, comprising the Petitions, Pleas and Proceedings of Parliament from A.D. 1278 to A.D. 1503; Journal of the House of Lords, compiled by the direction of the Lords Committee for the Journal; Collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe (Thurlow), Secretary first to the Council of State, and afterwards to the two Protectors Oliver and Richard Cromwell, being Authentic Memorials of the English Affairs from the Year 1638 to the Restoration of King Charles II.; Papers relating to John Drury’s Mission to the Continent; Reports of the British Historical Manuscripts Commission; Reports of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts.
From the mass of references to Bohemia which one finds stored in the Calendar of State Papers, the authors have practically noted only such as have some bearing on the relationship between that country and England.
England’s most genuine concern in Bohemia dates to the first quarter of the seventeenth century, when Elizabeth Stuart had been called to guide the state affairs of the ancient Kingdom. “Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia” occupies a leading place in every index to the Calendar of State Papers.
Certain school histories would make it appear that it was Austria and Austria alone which combated the Turkish invasion of southeastern Europe. A perusal of the reports which English ambassadors sent home from various posts on the continent, make it clear that the Bohemian State contributed its full share, in men and in treasure toward crushing the Turkish menace. It is well worth recalling in this connection, that the present Hapsburg monarchy really originated as a result of a voluntary union entered into in 1526 between Austria, Bohemia and Hungary. United we stand, divided we fall before the Turkish peril, was the chief argument used to effect the union of these three states.
1302, Nov. 10. Westminster. Safe-conduct, until Easter, for Gotfried, chaplain and envoy of the King of Bohemia and Poland, returning home. Patent Rolls, v. 1301-1307, p. 72.
1302, Nov. 13. Westminster. To Wenceslaus king of Bohemia and Poland. The king has received his letters of credence presented by Godfrey, Wenceslaus’ chaplain, the bearer of the presents, and he understands what the chaplain wished to say to him on Wenceslauses behalf. He has caused the relics of St. Thomas, sometime archbishop of Canterbury, which the chaplain prayed on Wenceslauses behalf might be sent by the king, and also other relics be sent by the chaplain to Wenceslaus whom he prays to receive them and to have and keep in fitting reverence. Close Rolls, v. 1296-1302, p. 611.