What Happened in the Defenestration of Prague?

By Robert Palmer

The Defenestration of Prague is a term that refers to an event that occurred in the early hours of May 23, 1618. It was a significant event that marked the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War. This war was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history, lasting from 1618 to 1648 and claiming millions of lives.

The Background

Before we dive into what happened during the Defenestration, it’s essential to understand the historical background leading up to this event. In the early seventeenth century, Bohemia was a part of the Habsburg Empire ruled by Emperor Ferdinand II. Ferdinand was a staunch Catholic who had been attempting to suppress Protestantism in Bohemia.

Protestants in Bohemia were unhappy with Ferdinand’s policies and chose two representatives – Jaroslav Borzita and William Slavata – to present their grievances to him. On May 23, 1618, these two representatives met with Count Thurn at Prague Castle.

The Defenestration

The meeting between Borzita, Slavata, and Count Thurn quickly escalated into violence when they were accused of being traitors by Count Thurn. A scuffle broke out, and soon Borzita and Slavata were thrown out of the window along with their secretary Fabricius.

This event is known as the Defenestration of Prague because it involved throwing people out of windows. Fortunately for those who were thrown out, they survived as they landed on a large pile of manure below!

The Aftermath

The Defenestration of Prague had far-reaching consequences as it sparked a rebellion against Emperor Ferdinand II’s rule throughout Bohemia. The rebels formed an alliance with other Protestant states against Ferdinand’s Catholic allies, which led to the Thirty Years’ War.

  • The Thirty Years’ War lasted from 1618 to 1648.
  • It was fought primarily in Central Europe.
  • The war claimed millions of lives and involved many of the major powers of Europe at the time.

Conclusion

The Defenestration of Prague is a fascinating event that marked the beginning of one of the most destructive conflicts in European history. It’s a reminder that even small incidents can have far-reaching consequences, and it’s essential to understand historical events to learn from them.