Die Beurteilung des Böhmischen Aufstands im Pamphlet vom Winter 1618/1619
An Assessment of the Bohemian Rebellion in a Pamphlet from the Winter of 1618/1619

Summary/Abstract: The study analyses and makes available the pamphlet Pasquill von itzigem Zustandt deßKriegswesens from 1618/1619, which has been preserved in a manuscript version inthe collections of the Hauptstaatsarchiv Dresden. Most probably, together with otherintelligence documents, it was delivered to the court of Elector Johann Georg I ofSaxony, who took a strong interest in the development of the Bohemian. The author ofthe pamphlet provides a list of influential persons, power groups and countries whichcould fundamentally intervene in the conflict between the Habsburg rulers and theBohemian Estates. In each case he added a comment describing the current positionof the individual, his past and other plans. At the same time, he clearly sided with theBohemian uprising, which he attempted to defend in the eyes of the undecided. He wastherefore merciless in his criticism, especially in his discussion of various members of theHabsburg dynasty, their followers and troops. However, he also employed irony againstcertain insurgents who, in his opinion, were acting too harshly or prioritizing their owngoals. His text therefore represents an extraordinary example of an ironic evaluation ofthe contemporary military and political situation by an educated and engaged person.

• Details
• Contents