ARTICLES OF THE LEAGVE, MADE between FREDERICKE, King of Bohemia, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Elector of the sacred Empire, Duke of Bauaria, Marquis of Morauia, Duke of Silesia and Luxemburg, Marquis of the higher and lower Lusatia, &c.  
And the High and mighty Prince GABRIEL, Prince of Hungaria and Transiluania, Moldauia, Valachia, and earl of Siculen, &c.  
Together with the States of the aforesaid kingdom, &c.  
M. D.C.XX.   

Articles of the League, made between FREDERICK King of Bohemia, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Elector of the sacred Empire, Duke of Bauaria, Marquis of Morauia, Duke of Silesia and Luxemburg, Marquis of the higher and lower Luzatia, &c.  
And the high and mighty Prince, GABRIEL, Prince of Hungaria and Transiluania, Moldauia, Valachia, and earl of Siculen, &c. Together with the States of the aforesaid kingdoms, &c.  
IN the Name of the most holy and inseparable trinity, GOD the Father, the son, and the Holy Ghost; the most Wise, Righteous, and mighty Ruler of all Lords, Princes, and kingdoms, to whom bee all honour and praise eternally. Amen.  
We, FREDERICKE, by the grace of God, King of Bohemia, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Elector of the sacred Empire; Duke of Bauaria, Marquis of Morauia, Duke of Silesia and Luxemburg, Marquis of the higher and lower Lusatia, &c. sand greeting to the said famous realm of Bohemia, the margraveship of Morauia, the Dukedom of Silesia, the vpper and neather margraveship of Luzatia( as incorporated provinces with the said kingdom) and to the higher and lower States of the Archdukedomes of Austria, and to all and every one of them in particular, to whom these Presents shal or may in any wise appertain:  
signifying unto them, That although many yeeres since there hath been a strong and perfect bond of confederacie, unity, peace, and league, had and held from time to time, between the famous kingdom of Bohemia, together with the incorporated and united provinces thereof, and the famous kingdom of Hungaria, as sufficiently appeareth by diuers and several Treaties made and held in Vienna, Presburg, and elsewhere, whereof, on both sides, Writings and Articles were drawn, made, and written, which both parties, long time inviolably and firmly haue held, observed,& maintained, until certain turbulent and unquiet persons, haue sought and practised to set variance between them, thereby to break and dissolve their said League and perfect unity. Whereupon, the States of the kingdom of Bohemia, and the margraveship of Morauia, by their Ambassadors, did most friendly certify the Prince of Transiluania, for that time being, together with the States of the kingdom of Hungaria, not only long since in the reigns of the Emperours, Rodulphus and mathias, of famous memory, deceased, to certify them that then were assembled and had met together, to agree vpon, and to make a firm League of amity between them, but now also presently haue sought unto and desired them, that touching the earnest renewing, strengthening and better confirmation of their said ancient League and Amity, they would not withdraw, nor show themselves backward. Which insinuation( as it appeareth) being friendly and willingly accepted and liked of by them, Wee also having a great desire thereunto,( being persuaded that we haue not well performed our charge, duty, touching the furtherance& aduancement of the said Confederation between the said kingdoms and provinces) unless we show ourselves wholly desirous and addicted to the said renewing, restoring, and declaration of the said often desired league, as also to show that thankfulness and gratuity which we are bound to yield unto the famous Prince of Hungaria and Transiluania, and the States of the said Countreyes, for having vouchsafed at such times as wee were oppressed with troubles and Warres, to sand us aid.  
Therefore to requited the same, We haue not been slack, willingly to consent, and agree unto their request and desires, that by the aid and help of God, this religious, fruitful, most commendable and profitable work, for all christendom, according to all good Christians desires, might happily proceed and go forward, and the League by certain necessary covenants renewed, increased, and strengthened,( by the Articles ensuing) with the famous Prince Gabriel, by the Grace of God, Prince of Hungaria, and Transiluania, earl of Siculen, and the States of the famous kingdom of Hungaria, then assembled in Presburg, vpon the ordinary day of assembly there holden,( his said majesty giuing his Princely word and assurance, touching the same, with full authority, for and in the name of the States of the principality of Transiluania, and the three Nations; for that by reason of the distance of places, and longnesse of the way, they could not sand their special and particular Ambassadors) made by the most Noble, honourable, Valiant, wise, and discreet persons, George Fredericke, earl of Hoenboe, Baron of Langenbrucke, Boleslauia, Cosmenes, and Krulich, one of ours and the kingdom of Bohemia's counsel of war, general of the army, colonel of three thousand footmen, and a thousand Horsemen, and Knights. Henry mathias, earl of Thueryn, Baron of Crutz, Willisch, and Lestdorf, Burgraue of the Castle of Carolostem, one of ours, and the kingdom of Bohemia's council, chief general of the camp, and colonel of three thousand footmen. Leonardus Colonum, free Baron of fells and Scheuckenberch, Baron of Englsbourgh, Buchauw, Schenauw, and Hacherustein, Marshall of the army, captain of six hundred Horsemen. johannes van Bubna, Lord of Tzwischij, and Boranictzij Sergeant Maior, and colonel of a thousand Horsemen. Paul Wostersby Kaeplerum, Lord of Sulewctz, Wotizcij, and Salutzsi colonel of the Ingeners, and of fifteen hundred Footmen. Paul Gsehinium of Pragh, receiver for the States and kingdoms of Bohemia. johannes, Baron of Wurben, Lord of Wlassenie, Lateni, Brudetz, and Biscupitz. Paul Wolbram, Lord of Frisbergh, provincial Burgraue of the margraveship of Morauia. Bernardus Tzastriziel in Namischt, Fredericus Meniardus, and Georgius Millerus Counsellors of Inuimands, in the Marquisate of Morauia. For the dukedom of Silesia, and the States of the two margraveship of Luzatia, because they for the distance of the places, and length of the way, could not sand their special Ambassadors hither,( for whom the Kings majesty of Bohemia giveth his Princely word, and taketh their Commission vpon him with full authority.) The Lord Erasmus van Laudauw, free Baron of Haus, and Rapelstein; Andreas Thonardi, free Baron of Therubergh; and Rechbergh, Lord of Ouerhassingh; Georgius Christopherus, Rouberus Lord of Reinegk Obrem, Trixen, Zacharium, and Stanzerum, judge of the provincial Law in neather Austria, Georgius Erasmus Baron of Tseruembl, chief sure of the dukedom of Carnolia, and Margraue of Sclauonia; johannes Ortolpheus Tezman of Geylsbach, and Freidenegk, and Bal●hasarus Klesselboden, Counsellors of Steinen, ambassadors for both the Arch-Dukedomes of Austria, sent with full and sufficient power to the said Parliament, in the kingdom of Bohemia, We consulted, agreed, and concluded as followeth.  
First, That continual, perpetual and an inseparable league of unity, peace,& friendly amity, shall bee holden, and truly and uprightly maintained, and observed, from henceforth by and between the kingdom of Bohemia. The margraveship of Morauia, The dukedom of Silesia, the vpper and neather Margraueships of Luzatia, and the States thereof, as provinces incorporated one with the other, and consequently, between, and with the true Kings of Bohemia, Margraues, Dukes, Barons, and their Successors, as also between the higher and lower Arch-Dukedomes of Austria, and the States thereof, that now are or hereafter shal bee, and the King or Prince of Hungaria, and the kingdoms and provinces annexed to the said crown. The Prince of Transiluania, and those parts of the kingdom of Hungaria, now annexed to the said principality of Transiluania, as also with all the States thereof, that now are, and which hereafter shall bee.  
2. Secondly, If at any time hereafter,( by what Enemy soever procured) the common and mutual peace shall be perturbed, by invading of the kingdoms or provinces of the said Confederates, directly or indirectly, contrary to their said League, or if any of them, deceitful breaking off from the said League, or the Participants therein, shall invade us or any of them, that then wee shalbe holden& bound, with all our means, and power, and also with our lives, and the shedding of our dearest blood, to aid, help, and assist each other, in and for the maintenance of this our League and Confederacy, and therein and for the same bee ready to live and die. nevertheless, with such preparation and power as the necessity of the case of either side requireth, or shall require, and shall in time be requested as in the future common agreement of the said confederated kingdoms and provinces, specially concerning the defence thereof, shall be concluded and set down.  
3. Thirdly, all of us shall take and haue a special and earnest care for the aduancement and enlarging of this Confederation, by accepting the alliance of the Countreyes bordering about us, that so it may bee more and more strengthened, but not without the knowledge, will, and common counsel and consent of the Confederates, vpon condition that those Countreyes, that are desirous and seek to be admitted into this League, shall first be bound with the like Oath and promise that wee are, and that being done, shalbe participants of the aid, freedom,& profit therof, as other kingdoms and provinces, contained in the said League, noware.  
4. Fourthly, The Articles of agreement in this inviolable and perpetual Confederance, made between the said kingdoms, provinces, and States thereof, and in the behalf of their Heires and successors, shall as well by us that are now living, as by our said Heires and Successors for better and surer maintenance thereof, vpon every day of general meeting, be repeated, rehearsed, and openly red in Court, and presence of of the Assembly. And likewise, every fift year at a certain time and peace, with the consent of all the Confederates, order shall bee taken for the meeting and common assembling of the said Confederates, at the which Assembly, all such disorders and controversies, as by chance shall formerly haue been committed& happen, touching the maintenance of the Articles and contents thereof, may in time be holpen and prevented, or as the state, necessity and conveniency of the time requireth, may be augmented, and made manifest and clearer.  
5. Fiftly, Without the knowledge, will& consent, of the confederated kingdoms and provinces, it shall not be lawful for any of us, to make any offensive or defensive preparation, yet if any invasion be made in any of the said kingdoms or provinces, or that any town feared of invasion, to be made by the enemy, that bordereth vpon any of the Confederates, shall happen, before any help may bee had, or proceed from the other confederated provinces, or that they may haue intelligence thereof, in that case, it shall be lawful for any of the said confederated kingdoms and provinces, in the mean time, to defend themselves by arms against the enemy, as well as they can. Likewise, it shall not be lawful for any of us, particularly of ourselves, to make peace or truce with any new or future enemy and disturbers of the common peace, of the incorporated kingdoms and confederated provinces, as defenders of them, our confederacie leaving the rest of their Confederates, without the licence and consent of the rest of the said confederates. And common& solemn peace being agreed vpon, those persons shall therein be contained, that for the public service( either politic or marshal) haue used all the diligence they could, for the aduancement of the said kingdom and provinces. It shall also not be granted nor permitted to any of the Kings, Princes, and Lords( without the leave and good will) of the said kingdoms and provinces, to begin any open war, much less to put or place any strange Souldiers into garrison in any of the said confederated towns, kingdoms, and provinces, nor to permit any troupe or troops of Souldiers to pass through their Countries, towns, or provinces, or to licence them to depart.  
6. Forasmuch as that the said kingdoms and provinces, can by no means be preserved and upholden, unless the borders and passages of the kingdom of Hungaria be maintained and defended. Therefore, We the said King of Bohemia, and the States of the same kingdom, together with the aforesaid incorporated provinces, as also of vpper and lower Austria, considering, that at this time the state of that kingdom is yet very unquiet, and the greatest part thereof laid waste and overrun, and that We, with the great costs and charges of our army, are continually burdened, and are likely daily to haue more burdens and troubles fall vpon us, yet to show forth the cause of our true and willing assistance, Wee will from hence forth continue that payment, which before this time yearly hath been ordinarily and usually paid towards the Garrisons, and the maintenance of the Marches and Borders of the kingdom of Hungaria, by every confederate province or country, according to their portion. Which also in the next general Assembly of the Confederates, shall bee truly set down, and made known. But having better considered of the welfare of the common cause, Wee are content to increase the said sum with the value of fifty thousand collars of 70. Krutzers the piece, in ready money. But yet that it shall be held, reckoned, and accounted, to proceed only from Our good wills and neighbourhoods, for the maintenance and security of the aforesaid Kingdoms and provinces, and that the said sum shall not be employed, but only for the payment of the Garrisons, and the defence of the Borders of the same, as also that there shall bee certain Commissioners appointed specially to look unto it. And if it shall so fall out, that the said Borders shall haue any need or occasion( as being ready to decay) to be repaired and fortified, We will not be slack( as Confederates) to enlarge and increase some contribution towards the same, as by friendly request made by the Lords of Hungaria, shall be motioned and desired.  
7. seventhly, specially, and before all things it is necessary, that peace should not bee renewed with the turk, but only an embassage, motion, and treaty; agreed vpon and constantly continued, and therefore from all the kingdoms and confederated provinces, there shall be some sent to the Ottomans country, to renew, determine vpon, and strengthen the said peace. Touching the counsel, and furthering of this good and most necessary business, his majesty hath of himself undertaken the care and proceeding thereof, and to sand his particular embassage, as also that ours of the kingdom of Bohemia and the provinces bordering vpon it, shall go with it, and that then every one for his part take order for and prepare the Presents, and other costs and charges, that shal be necessary and convenient, for the setting forth of the same embassage.  
8. Eightly, the confederated Princes& Lords, to show their good and true neighbourhood, to their Confederates& Allies, will take care presently in the beginning of Lent( if no weighty and important hindrance thereunto doth not in the mean time happen) by certain Commissioners on both sides equally thereunto appointed, to ratify and confirm the Borders of the kingdom of Hungaria, Morauia, Silesia, and Austria, for the which there hath been so long and continual strife.  
9. Ninthly, vpon request made by his majesty, and the States of the kingdom of Hungaria, touching the good of those of Austria( to the great hindrance of the kingdom of Hungaria) until this time withholden( although true members of the said kingdom) and now at last again appropriated to the said kingdom of Hungaria: The confederated Princes, to signify their good neighbourhood and confederacy, will take order, that things shall bee brought to a good conclusion, and will therein bee Mediators and helpful, that the same may be restored again.  
10. Tenthly, In the confederated provinces and kingdoms, in every place, when and where they will, they shall all hold general meetings and assemblies, with this respect, notwithstanding, that the laws, freedoms, privileges, and ancient customs of the particular kingdoms, provinces States, towns, Commonalties, and Persons of the same, shall on both sides bee maintained and observed.  
11. eleventhly, that the bond of amity between the Confederates may bee the stronger: The value of the Mint shall bee made alike in the said kingdoms, and confederated provinces, and the moneys with good correspondence& limitation on both sides, Minted: and that in the next general assembly of all the Confederates, in a convenient place( after the assembly of the whole Kingdoms) a certain limitation and tax shall be made of the greater moneys, and that the smaller moneys and the grossest, shall hold all one course, whereof it shall bee needful that a Publication should be made in all kingdoms.  
12. Twelftly, If in process of time any difference or question, touching the Contract of the League, should chance to happen; the confederated kingdoms and provinces, vpon request made by one of the said parties, shall appoint a place, whereunto all of them coming, the controversy shall be declared, and the difficulty thereof being decided, it shall( by the order and upright proceeding of the said Confederates) be determined: and there it shall be required, and by either side appointed, in a cause necessary concerning them, as aforesaid, that the said party plaintiff, vpon request made by the Confederates, shall vpon the general day of parliament or Assembly, sand thither their special embassage. To the end, that any such weighty difference, which by chance may happen among the confederated kingdoms and provinces, may openly and speedily be agreed vpon and ended: and in Hungaria, the King, Prince Palatine, and the council of Bohemia,& other confederated Lords, shalbe appointed as Protectors in that case, and in whom the fault shall first be found, to appease and pacify the same.  
13. Thirteenthly, That by a most strict and perpetual Law it shall be ordained and prohibited, that in no places of the confederated kingdoms and provinces, there shall be any Iesuites permitted to reside, nor be resident; neither that any man, of what state or condition soever he be, man or woman, high or low, under any pretence or show whatsoever, secretly or openly shall uphold, maintain, entertain, or harbour any of them, much less use them in any embassage, either spiritual or temporal, for the Commonwealth; neither that any King, Prince, or any of the States in their particular places, shall use their counsel or advice; that also they shall not bee preferred to any dignity, under what pretence soever they shall be called thereunto, vpon pain of notable disloyalty and perpetual banishment. The execution whereof shall bee referred to the States of the kingdom or province, wherein the offender, in this case, shall haue had his residence.  
14. Fourteenthly, When any help for the war, or protection against any enemy of the confederated kingdoms and provinces, shall be required and sought for, and to that end be sent into this kingdom, or to the confederated provinces, the chief Commanders shall haue their dependence from the King of Bohemia, the Burgraue, the principal captains of the provinces, Presidents, colonels, and general captains, and shall proceed in their affairs against the enemy by common consent. And such Souldiers as are sent to aid them, shall certainly bee paid by them that sent them, and thereby bee held in better order, service, government,& obedience, that they may not haue any pretence or seem to be sent, rather for the spoiling and over throwing, then the defending, of the Gentlemen, common people, and the country: and specially, according to the confederacy, they must not bee suffered to spoil Noblemens houses, free towns, Churches, Parishes, and Hospitals. And lastly, that all such shall by the confederated Lords in their own kingdoms and provinces, bee inquired after, and discharged of their service.  
15. We haue thought it good and convenient, as also the other Lords of the confederacie, that if any books of the affairs of the Kings privileges, or any written Copies, touching the kingdom and the confederated provinces, in former times kept in any place( especially after the restitution of the holy crown of the Kings of Hungaria) in Bohemia, or in Austria, or that may there be found, that speedily, vpon the first request made, all and every one of them shall be given again, and without any delay truly delivered to the States to whom they belong.  
16. And that among us, all mutual fidelity, friendship, good will, and diligent neighbourhood and confederated League, may bee observed and upholden. If at this present there be any hostility, between, or among the confederated Kings, Princes, kingdoms, provinces, and their States, and Inhabitants, from this time forward, it shall, and must be wholly ended, and for ever left off and forgotten.  
17. And if any man shall presently or hereafter be judged to be banished, from, or out of one kingdom or province of the Confederates, he shall not be received into, nor entertained in any other of the kingdoms or provinces in the said Confederacie, but in like sort shall bee banished from thence: And further, in all the consederated kingdoms, he shall bee held and accounted to be a banished man, and it shall not avail him, that without the knowledge of the other kingdoms and provinces, he hath again been pardonned and received into grace and favour( nouerthelesse, reserving the authority of Kings and Princes, of restoring such persons again into the grace and favour of their kingdoms and provinces, with the consent of the States thereof.) But if any such banished person or offender, shall chance to haue fled into, and faued himself in any of the confederated kingdoms or provinces, and shall therein be found, the principalest of that kingdom or province, shall( as aforesaid) bee bound, without any exception or excuse, simply and truly, to sand that banished and wicked person, to that kingdom or province, wherein he received that iudgement of banishment and punishment.  
Lastly, every King or Prince( now, or in time to come) of the kingdoms and provinces, that haue made and confirmed this League of confederacy, and promised that they will do their best to uphold and maintain the same, and govern his kingdom accordingly, shall by their force, power, and protection, proceeding from the same, with the consent of the States thereof, freely use the same against all their enemies. And if contrary to all hope and meaning, any of them both, against the freedom of Religion and public privileges therein granted, shall do to the contrary, thereby seeks to subvert and overthrow them; in that case the States thereof shall be free and discharged of their homage and oath of fidelity, and shall haue full power and perpetual authority to speak against them and to resist them,& for that cause shall not by any man bee blamed or accused of treason: and for the maintaining of this Confederacy, by all and every particular person that is received thereinto, as aforesaid, the King or Prince, at the solemnisation of his coronation, shall take a solemn oath, that he will hold and maintain the same, and be bound thereunto.  
Therefore, We the aforesaid King of Bohemia, and all the States of the confederated kingdoms, as also of higher and lower Austria, do promise for ourselves, Our heires and successors, without dissimulation, to uphold and observe( all the aforesaid Articles of this agreement and confederated League, and all and every particular point therein contained, as they are registered in the original, word by word) willingly, and with a perpetual, constant, and uniform desire, and also promise that the same shall in like sort be upholden and observed, constantly, religiously, and inviolably, as well as possible we can or may, and as firmly and resolutely, as if the same had verbatim been decreed vpon, and publicly ordained and confirmed at the general Parliament or meeting, of the kingdom of Bohemia, the margraveship of Morauia, the dukedom of Silesia, the margraveship of higher and neather Lusatia, and also of the higher and lower Austria; certainly hoping, that it will so fall out, that on the other side, the aforesaid confederated Lords haue determined and decreed, all together, and every one particularly, uprightly, constantly, and religiously, to observe, uphold, and maintain the same, and that with good neighbourhood, correspondence, and unity, the same will daily more and more be strengthened, and firmly grounded; which almighty God, author, encreaser, and protector of all lawful contracts and confederacies, of his great mercy vouchsafe to grant. And for the better and firmer witnessing of this perpetual League, We haue here under subscribed Our hands, and caused Our seals to bee thereunto annexed.  
given in the Castle of Prague, vpon the general day of meeting of all the confederated kingdoms and provinces. Anno 1620.  
And wee, the aforesaid Ambassadors of the puissant King, and the famous kingdom of Bohemia, and of the incorporated provinces, as also of the lower Austria, with absolute and full power, being ordained and deputed to bee at the consulting, treating, handling, and conferring of this confederacie, approve all and every particular things and points that are contained in this accord of the perpetual League, and in sign of our undoubted fidelity, beleeue and are persuaded, that by his majesty the King of Bohemia, and the States of this kingdom, and the confederated provinces thereof; the same shall by a special authentic copy, under hand and seal, bee sent to the Prince and kingdom of Hungaria and Transiluania, and to that end we haue hereunto put our hands and seals,  
given in Presburg, in the open and general meeting, the 15. of Ianuarie 1620.