MOST Illustrious Cozens, Electors and Princes, and most Honourable, Noble and generous loyall Subjects, Wee doubt not but that it is knowne and more then notorious vnto all as­well within as without the Empire, into what most miserable Estate this Crowne of Bohe­mia, with the incorporate Countryes thereunto adioy­ning, hath beene plunged and reduced by their Ad­uersaries and their Assistants, Ayders and abetters, not onely without lawfull precedent causes, but also of meere enuy, & an vnsatiable desire of reuenge; where­by most cruelly & barbarously, yea more then Turkes, Tartarians and Infidels there tyrannized vpon, and a­gainst the Bodies and goods of the Subjects and inha­bitants of the said Countries, and haue as it were re­created [Page 2] their malicious mindes by shedding of innu­merable innocent Christian Blood, to the great and vnspeakeable damage of many thousands of poore people, and the most lamentable compassion of all confining Countries.

And although in the meane while after lawfull and inforced abdication of Ferdinand the Emperour, and our Election, through Gods singular prouidence and speciall Grace, by the vnanime, orderly, and vnrepro­uable consent of our loyall Estates of Bohemia and the Countries appertaining thereunto, wee haue desired and aymed at nothing more then that the most hurt­full and deuouring combustion, warre, and disquietnes of these Countryes might speedily bee appeased and redressed: As also that by the ripe, wise, prouident and carefull aduise and counsaile of our most illustri­ous Cozens, Allies and Friends, together with the consent and wills of our loyall Estates, Subiects and Countries, wee haue not refused, but rather vpon se­rious well meaning motions (long since) haue accep­ted of and agreed vnto, and offered our Aduersaries to enter into a comodious Truce, cessation of Armes, and peaceable treaty, and (asmuch as possibly in vs ly­eth, without impairing of our Royall Dignity, State, Honour and reputation) to proceed therein, That thereby the long desired Peace & tranquilitie of these Countries, by our helpe might bee restored and re­established, the most cruell and vnspeakable tyranny, murtherings and deuastations auerted, the banished wholsome Tranquility reobtained, and the Countries restored into their former pristinate and peaceable [Page 3] Estate. To the contrary we finde that our said Chri­stian and most iust intent hath not onely slightly, but most scornefully bin altogether refused, and vtterly rejected, and which is more, not contented with the former barbarous and inhumane Tyrannies by the ene­mies already practised; they haue resolued to stand vnto, and to continue in their said forcible practises, proceedings and hostilitie.

From whence it is easily to be gathered, and firmely to be concluded, that the intent and meaning of our Aduersarie tendeth to this onely end and scope, that vnder the coulorable name of soueraigne Authority, together with many additions, hee may obtaine ayde and assistance, and thereby insinuate himselfe into the good will of diuers renowned Potenrates aswell with­in as without the Empire, yea and of the meer vassailes and dependants of this our Crowne of Bohemia: wher­unto they haue already made an entrance, by bringing in of forraine Souldiers, contrary to the ordinances and liberty of the Empire of Germany, and the Imperi­all (by Oath) ratified capitulation.

But for that our most constant Royall minde, nei­ther will nor can indure to see our selues, together with the loyall and faithfull Estates and members of our Crowne of Bohemia, and the incorporate Countries thereof, as also so great a number of innocent poore people and godly Christians longer to bee so mole­sted, and by such Calamities oppressed, being their lawfull King called by GOD, and Elected and Crow­ned by the Estates of the said Kingdome, to whom by due and right true and ancient Custome it belongeth. [Page 4] And although wee haue already agreed and taken or­der with our aforesaid obedient Estares, in what man­ner, by their helpe, counsaile and assistance, the Ho­stile dealing and vnchristianlike wronges might bee a­uerted, and redressed, further resting in this confident hope, that none either of high or low estate or degree, being allyed vnto vs and our Crowne of Bohemia, ei­ther holding of vs in Fee, or by Oath of Allegiance, will in any wise, vnder any colour or intent whatsoe­uer, hinder this our forcible defence and lawfull Acti­on, nor yet attempt to inuade or oppresse vs and the Crowne of Bohemia with the incorporate Countries thereon depending, nor enter into the same by force of Warre and open hostility, especially if hee will but vouchsafe to ponder and consider the causes at large set foorth in our Deduction not long since Published: Notwithstanding wee haue thought it conuenient to send forth this our friendly warning and admonition, as also our strict Commaund and in­hibition, (moued thereunto, aswell by the Counsaile and aduise, as by the most humble and instant request of our obedient Estates:) hereby friendly requiring and admonishing all and euery person and subiect of our said Crowne of Bohemia, and strictly Commaun­ding by vertue of our Royall Authority and Superio­rity as the Liedge & Soueraigne Lord vpon that feal­ty, and Allegiance whereby they are bound vnto Vs and our Crowne of Bohemia, and the penalties and feo­darie Ordinances therein made, that none of them of what Dignity, estate or Degree soeuer they bee, shall take part in any thing whatsoeuer with the Intimated [Page 5] aduersaries, against vs and the generall Estates of our Crowne of Bohemia, and the Countries appertaining thereunto, neither yet to ayde or assist them by any meanes with Men, money, Ordinance, Munition, Vi­ctuall, Intelligence, reliefe, or any other way that may be done, practised or sinisterly deuised. But rather (for that none will do nor attempt the same that is capable of Law and equity) if any such or the like occurrances might happen & fall out, to preuent, hinder and auert the same to the vttermost of their powers, and ioyne themselues with all their Forces speedily & without all delay with Vs, our generals, Captaines, and Armies now imployed about the Freeing and releasing of our said Countries from ruyne, and subuersion, to ayd and rescue them, if necessitie require, and hereof not to faile as they will answer the contrary at their perils.

Wee likewise hereby admonish and recall all and euery Captaine, Officer and common Soldier, Sub­iects vnto vs and the said Crowne of Bohemia, mediate­ly or immediately by fealty, Oath and seruice, or that haue and possesse any Territories, Lands, reuenues or goods either in Bohemia, or in the Fees thereon depen­ding, bee it in any Citties, Townes, Castles, places or grounds, and are now in the pay and seruice of our ad­uersaries, or their ayders and Assistants in this Warre against vs and the Crowne of Bohemia, and vnder the aforesaid Penalties, most earnestly and strictly charge them, within the space of Fourteene dayes next and imediately following vpon this our Royall insinuati­on, and Mandate, signified and made knowne vnto them, to leaue, forsake, and abandon the said seruice [Page 6] and pay, of our Aduersaries, (any Oath, promise, or Allyance by the which they are bound either vnto them or their ayders & dependants notwithstanding) hereby promising all security for Vs, and our Crowne vnto him, them, or any of them, that within the time herein limited, shall fully performe and obserue this our will and desire, and to the contrary continuing therein, certainly and fully purposing Irreuocably and without any restitution to proceed against them (ac­cording to the afore mentioned and menaced feoda­rie Penalties) that refuse to imbrace this our graci­ous offer, Pardon and beneuolence, and goe on in their premeditated intents and purposes. Whereof let euery one hereby take notice, that will or intend to auoyde the Damage and perill, that may thereby en­sue: for such is our Will and pleasure. In Witnes whereof, wee haue confirmed these our Letters with our Royall Seale.

Giuen at our Castle of Prague the xviij. ^th. Day of August, Anno Dom. 1620. In the First yeare of our Raigne of Bohemia.

Ad Mandatum Sacrae Regiae Maiestatis proprium.