the Hrad[vs]any, amid surroundings bearing strong
evidence of the harm John's reign had brought on Bohemia, and on Prague
in particular, for we read that Charles found the castle, and probably
the church as well, in a state nearly approaching ruin from neglect.
Here again he had work to hand, and did it nobly; of this more later on.
After Ernest of Pardubic had been safely installed, King John started
off on another crusade against the heathen Lithuanians, probably as
payment for the concessions on the part of the Pope. No sooner was John
thoroughly engaged with his northern enemies than the German Louis
stirred up Hungary and Poland, and several others, against him. John
hurriedly returned home, beating Casimir of Poland and a Hungarian army
on the way, made some sort of an alliance with other enemies of his, and
eventually, with the aid of the Pope and five German Electors, got Louis
chased from the throne and his son Charles elected as German King
instead. All this happened in the early months of 1346. Meanwhile, by
July of that year, on the day following Charles's election, King Edward
III of England and the Black Prince had landed on the coast of France,
and were setting out through Normandy for Paris. On August 26th, St.
Rufus Day again, the anniversary of the death of P[vr]emysl Ottokar II,
John, King of Bohemia, brave, chivalrous and utterly misguided, died in
the tent of a knightly enemy, leaving him as device the appropriate
motto "_Ich dien!_"

Indeed, John had served every interest but his own; and Charles his son,
elected Emperor as fourth of that name, and first as King of Bohemia,
took into his own firm hands the tangled coils of Central European
affairs, making as centre of his activities his own city of Prague.

CHAPTER VIII

Deals with Charles IV, Roman Emperor, King of the Germans, first
Bohemian King of that name, and Father of his country. Charles as a
warrior and the part he took at Crecy. Some remarks about Crecy.
Friendly relations between Charles and Edward III of England, who at
Charles's suggestion declines the imperial crown. Charles concerns
himself with the welfare of his people. He builds and restores churches.
A short story about St. Wenceslaus, and a description of the chapel
dedicated to him. Of "St. Mary under the Chain" and the house of the
Knights of Malta. Of George Podiebrad, of Frederick the Winter King and
his wife Elizabeth. A word or two about the Hussites and the host