Who Led the Defenestration of Prague?

By Michael Ferguson

The Defenestration of Prague was a significant event in the history of Europe, marking the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War. This incident involved the forcible expulsion of several Catholic officials from a window in Prague Castle, which had far-reaching consequences for Bohemia and beyond.

Background

During the late 16th and early 17th centuries, religious tensions were running high in Europe. The Protestant Reformation had led to a divide between Catholics and Protestants, with each group vying for power and influence.

In Bohemia, which was predominantly Protestant, tensions between Catholics and Protestants had been escalating for years. The Protestant nobles felt marginalized by the Catholic Habsburg rulers, who sought to suppress their religious practices.

The Event

On May 23, 1618, a group of Protestant nobles gathered at Prague Castle to address their grievances to Ferdinand II, the newly appointed Catholic King of Bohemia. The nobles accused Ferdinand’s representatives, Vilém Slavata and Jaroslav Martinic, of violating their religious rights.

As tensions mounted during the meeting, an impulsive act changed the course of history. In a fit of anger and frustration, two Protestant nobles – Count Thurn and Count Hohenlohe – seized Slavata and Martinic and threw them out of a window in the castle’s council room.

The Leaders

Count Thurn is often credited as one of the leaders behind this dramatic act. As one of the most prominent Protestant nobleman in Bohemia at that time, he played a crucial role in organizing resistance against Catholic oppression.

  • Count Thurn: A skilled military commander and diplomat who became one of the key figures in the Bohemian Estates revolt. His actions during the Defenestration of Prague set in motion a series of events that would eventually escalate into the Thirty Years’ War.
  • Count Hohenlohe: Another Protestant nobleman who actively participated in the Defenestration of Prague. His involvement signaled the unity among Protestant nobles in resisting Catholic influence.

Consequences

The Defenestration of Prague had immediate and long-term consequences. The expelled officials survived the fall, but their expulsion symbolized a rejection of their authority by the Protestant nobility.

The incident ignited a wave of rebellion across Bohemia, leading to the formation of the Protestant Union and Catholic League. These opposing alliances further intensified religious conflicts, eventually evolving into a full-scale war that engulfed Europe for three decades.

In conclusion, while Count Thurn and Count Hohenlohe were not solely responsible for leading the Defenestration of Prague, their actions played a significant role in shaping its aftermath. This event marked a turning point in European history and set off a chain reaction that would forever alter the religious and political landscape of Europe.