CHAPTER X.. Ferdinand I.--His Wars and Intrigues.

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