The Prague window 1618
1618, Prague. Protestant nobles have thrown two of the emperor's regents out of a window of Hradčany castle. They say a dung heap saved their lives. You are a minor noble of Bohemia.
Historical background
Bohemia had been promised freedom of religion by Emperor Rudolf II's Letter of Majesty in 1609, but when the fervently Catholic Ferdinand was designated king of Bohemia, the Protestant nobles grew alarmed. On 23 May 1618 they threw the imperial regents Martinitz and Slavata and the secretary Fabricius out of a window of Prague Castle. All three survived; Catholics said angels had saved them, Protestants that it was a dung heap.
In 1619 the Bohemian Estates elected Frederick V, Elector Palatine, as their king, but on 8 November 1620 they were defeated by the imperial army at the Battle of White Mountain, and Frederick, who had reigned for a single winter, was called the "Winter King". On 21 June 1621 twenty-seven leaders of the revolt were executed in the Old Town Square, and when the Renewed Land Ordinance of 1627 allowed only Catholicism, many Protestants such as Comenius of the Unity of the Brethren went into exile. The war drew in Denmark, Sweden and France; in 1631 Gustavus Adolphus defeated the imperial army at Breitenfeld, and the Peace of Westphalia ended it in 1648.
Who you are
You begin as a 27-year-old minor noble of Prague. You have no land, but you have a sword and a name. Your friend Zdeněk, Jan Bartoš, a pastor of the Brethren, Ludmila, and your cousin Jaroslav, who has taken the emperor’s side, are the people of this life.
The current of history: Thirty Years' War
An invitation called "The Prague window" arrives, and through the stages that lead to White Mountain and Breitenfeld you choose whose banner to serve under. Your faith and home may change greatly.
Sides you can take
- Protestant side Stand with the Bohemian Estates and the Winter King.
- Imperial side Stay loyal to the Habsburg emperor; confiscated lands may be your reward.
- Mercenary Follow the pay rather than the faith — the commonest life in this war.
Tips
Questions and answers
How close is this scenario to real history?
Rudolf II's Letter of Majesty of 1609, the Defenestration of Prague on 23 May 1618, the Winter King Frederick V, the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, the Old Town Square executions of 1621, the Renewed Land Ordinance of 1627 and the exiles, Breitenfeld in 1631 and the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 are historical. The starting map, realms, real historical figures and the major events of the current of history follow actual history. You and the companions, rivals and loves around you are fictional people who could have lived then, and once you start, history may diverge according to your choices and those of the AI rulers.
What station do I start in?
You start as a 27-year-old man, a minor Bohemian noble (knightly class) living in Prague. You have no land.
Is it free? Can I play right away?
Yes. Crown & Plough is a free browser game with no account and nothing to install. The "Start in this scene" button on this page opens the scenario's intro screen directly, and progress is saved automatically in your browser. It works on phones too.
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