Who Was Defenestrated in Prague in 1618?

By Anna Duncan

In the year 1618, an event known as the Defenestration of Prague took place, which had significant repercussions for the history of Europe. The term “defenestration” refers to the act of throwing someone or something out of a window, and in this particular case, it involved a political conflict that occurred in Prague, the capital city of Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic).

The Background

During the early 17th century, tensions between Protestant and Catholic factions were running high in Europe. In Bohemia, Catholics held power and sought to suppress Protestantism, leading to growing resentment among the Protestant nobility.

In May 1618, a group of Protestant nobles stormed Prague Castle in protest against Ferdinand II, who had been appointed as both King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor. Ferdinand II was seen as a staunch Catholic ruler who aimed to curtail Protestant influence within his realm.

The Defenestration

On July 23rd, 1618, representatives from both Catholic and Protestant factions gathered at Prague Castle to discuss their grievances with royal officials. The meeting quickly turned confrontational when two Catholic governors, Jaroslav Martinic and Vilém Slavata, along with their secretary Philip Fabricius, arrived to address the grievances.

As tensions escalated during the meeting, a group of Protestant nobles led by Count Thurn confronted Martinic and Slavata about their actions against Protestants. The situation reached a boiling point when Thurn accused them of being responsible for persecuting Protestants.

Unable to find resolution or common ground, Thurn and his allies decided to take drastic action. They grabbed Martinic, Slavata, and Fabricius and forcefully threw them out of a window on the third floor of Prague Castle. Miraculously, all three survived the fall, which was approximately 70 feet to the ground below.

The Aftermath

This event marked a turning point in the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Europe. The Defenestration of Prague became a symbolic act of rebellion against Catholic authority and sparked the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War, one of the most devastating conflicts in European history.

Following the defenestration, both Catholic and Protestant factions mobilized their forces, leading to a series of battles that engulfed Central Europe for three decades. The war resulted in widespread destruction, loss of life, and significant political and religious realignments across the continent.

Conclusion

The Defenestration of Prague in 1618 was a pivotal event that set off a chain reaction of violence and conflict across Europe. It symbolized the deep divisions between Catholics and Protestants during this period and ultimately led to the outbreak of the Thirty Years’ War. The consequences of this event were far-reaching and shaped the course of European history for years to come.