Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor: (Stanhope Historical Essay 1901)Seton-Watson, R. W. (Robert William)
History
Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor: (Stanhope Historical Essay 1901)
Seton-Watson, R. W. (Robert William)
Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, 1459-1519
Whatever might be the feeling in the latter country, there was no doubt
as to the popularity of Maximilian's cause in Austria. Great
enthusiasm prevailed, and his advance was as rapid and bloodless as it
was triumphant. Vienna University declared unanimously in his favour,
and, by the end of June, 12,000 men had enlisted in his service. In
July Maximilian entered Graz, and on August 19, made his triumphal
entry into Vienna, which had been hastily abandoned by the Hungarian
forces.[32] The oath of allegiance was taken to Maximilian only: the
citizens remembered Frederick too well to entrust themselves a second
time to his mismanagement. Meanwhile Uladislas had been proclaimed
King of Hungary on July 15, 1490,[33] and in September was crowned at
Stuhlweissenburg. Maximilian on this occasion displayed great
activity, and, aided by a liberal grant of money from the Tyrolese
Estates, invaded Hungary at the head of an army of about 17,000 men.
Crossing the Raab late in October, he met with but slight opposition;
Uladislas was unprepared, and by nature averse to energetic measures;
and the invader was joined by a number {30} of Hungarian magnates. But
this phenomenal success was fatal to the invaders; and by the time that
it reached Stuhlweissenburg, the army was virtually out of hand. In
spite of a firm resistance, the city was cannonaded (Maximilian
personally directing the artillery) and taken by storm; but a
disgraceful scene of plunder and slaughter ensued. Maximilian and his
captains were quite unable to restrain the soldiers, and on the next
day an open mutiny broke out. Their refusal to advance upon Buda, and
the consequent delay, proved fatal to the whole enterprise. When
summoned to surrender, the capital indignantly declined, and Uladislas
found time to bring up his Bohemians and to threaten Vienna. Frederick
III., true to his ultra-Fabian motto--"Mit der Zeit lohnt oder rächt
sich alles"[34]--sent no assistance, and Maximilian, seeing his base
endangered, and hampered by want of money and discipline, found it
necessary to withdraw westwards. His overtures to Poland met with no
response, and he was quite unable to continue the struggle alone. By
July 1491 Stuhlweissenburg fell into the hands of Uladislas, and all
Maximilian's recent conquests were lost. The urgent appeals of
Reichenburg to Maximilian for reinforcements and of Maximilian to his
father for money were all in vain. His position was absolutely
desperate from sheer want of funds,[35] while the turn which Breton
affairs were taking seemed to render peace necessary, at whatever
price. Frederick, who {31} throughout the war had thwarted his aims
and damped his ardour,[36] now offered his mediation, and negotiations
were opened in August. By the Treaty of Pressburg (November 7, 1491),
Uladislas was formally recognized as King of Hungary, but, failing his
lawful issue, the crown was to fall to Maximilian or his son. This
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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