The true copies of sundrie letters concerning the affaires of Bohemia, as they haue beene seuerally writen in High Dutch, Latine and French, to princes, and other men of account. Newly translated and printed

A Letter written by the Prince of Tran∣siluania, to the Duke of Bauare.

Mightie Prince and Excellent friend:

VVE doubt not but your Excellencie hath sufficiently vnderstood of the present troubles, and the successe of them in the Noble Kingdome of Hungary: but concerning their causes and proper Reasons, you haue not onely diuersly and indirectly bin informed, but also our opposers haue delated vnto you vnmeet and vn∣true rumours concerning both our purposes and person. These we will in disdaine passe by as the Fictions and Comments of giddie braines, rather then discouer them with tedious ambages. Your Grace shall now receiue the true description of our designements. When as vnwittingly he pres∣sed the person of the most sacred Emperour, and Kingly Maiestie of Ferdinand, because of the ancient persecution of our Orthodox and sound Religion, bearing it well in minde: So that

the Gouernment and Administration of his Maiestie was not only suspected but grudged at by all his Subiects, the couered and lurking fire in their minds beganne first in Bohemia to flame forth. Which in the beginning they might easily and with Clemencie (if they had so pleased) according to wisedome and due office haue extinguished, ere it had proceeded to such com∣bustion. But hauing now by many companies of people aggregated together from all the most re∣mote parts of Europe, so ouer-spread and ouer-runne Bohemia & Morauia, that the Inhabitants were almost constrayned to surrender to the Ene∣mie both life and goods, libertie and their Reli∣gion; they threatned with like tumultuous Armes and Forces, to inuade and oppresse pre∣sently, publikely and resolutely, Hungary and Transiluania, wee and the other Princes beeing vanquished and surprized. Wherefore the Mora∣uians and Bohemians with the Austrians and o∣ther Confederates, doe all of them protest vnto vs the perill of those ensuing warres, and intreate vs by the right of our ancient league to succour their afflicted and decaying State. Being therfore sollicited by so many Kingdomes, and compel∣led by the authoritie of ancient league, we did (our condition so requiring) aide by counsell and approbation our Confederate friends: yet so as we determined neither to haue any forces of the Turke, neither to suppresse the Romane Catho∣likes,

or any other Religion, the Iesuiticall Facti∣only excepted; but would maintayne the profes∣sion of our Orthodoxe Faith, and free the liber∣ties & impayred Estates of other Countries from violence and tyrannie. Wherefore our actions witnesse that our intention hath bin no other hi∣therto▪ forasmuch as we haue confirmed a league with his Imperiall and Royall Maiestie in the Kingdome of Hungarie, so that hee would please after sufficient demand to grant the same Articles to the Bohemians & the other our confederates, which wee haue not ceased by our Letters and Ambassages to solicite: to the intent the ruines of the Kingdomes, and the streames of Christian bloud might be diuerted. Moreouer, that Armes laid aside, profitable intreaties and agreements might take place, and such broyles might cease▪ & peace bee obtayned by the attending of both parts to most iust and equal conditions. Our selues desire rather to manifest our wishes to deserue well and highly of all Christian Princes and Kingdomes by practice rather then by wordes and Letters. Amongst the which also attributing very much to your princely equanimitie in these troublesome times of Christian Kingdomes, doe commend with singular confidence our owne in∣deuours, and our Confederates vnto you; the principall scope whereof, being no other then the establishing of peace & tranquillity, & the re∣storing vnto liberty our Countries, Lawes, & Re∣ligion,

it is meet your Excellence do promote and further amongst those with whom you shall con∣uerse, this so holy and commendable studie; and doe sincerely fauour the rights and equitie of our Confederates, and conceite vs most respectfull of you in all things. But if (which wee suppose not) his Imperiall Maiestie shall altogether deny to our Confederates the conditions of Peace being solemnely demanded, or (not vnderstanding first by way of peaceable in treaty the iust and equall cause of both parts) shall by his owne enterprise or by other conuert his power to the vtter ruine of those Kingdomes, wee cannot in any case so forsake our friends as not to shew our selues in∣continently enemies vnto them whosoeuer shall so inuade them and breake the Truce. Which thing being vnfit to be done among Christians, so it behooueth your Highnesse to prouide for the concord of Christian Kingdomes rather then fa∣uour wars and hostile enmities. Concerning all which we desire to know your Highnes pleasure and sentence. We doe wish vnto your Excellence vnfainedly all prosperitie. Giuen in our Towne, Rima Zombath, 29. Ianuary 1620.

Your Excellencies assured, Gabriel the Prince.

FINIS.