It was defended by ten
thousand citizens, assisted by students, monks, and Jews. From
ancient times there had been a large Jewish colony in Prague; the
Jews were said to have escaped thither direct from Jerusalem during
the last German crusade, and for that reason the island in the
Moldau is still called Jerusalem. On this occasion the Jews so
distinguished themselves that they received as a token of honour
from the Emperor Ferdinand III a great flag, which can be still seen
in their synagogue. Konigsmarck could not take the Old Town, but had
to send for help to Wittenberg. The latter actually plundered Tabor
and Budweis, but Prague, which had been plundered, did not attract
him. Then the Count Palatine Karl Gustav had to come, and formally
besieged the eastern portion of the town.
Konigsmarck dwelt in the Castle, where he could see the old hall of
the States-General, from the window of which Count Thurn had thrown
the Imperial governors Martiniz and Slavata; the Protestants say
that they fell on a dungheap, but the Catholics maintain that it was
an elder-bush.
Meanwhile Count Karl Gustav, who was a cousin of Frederick V, had as
little success before Prague as the former. He became ill, and was
sure that he had been poisoned. But he recovered, and was about to
be reinforced by Wrangel, when news arrived that the Peace of
Westphalia had been concluded.
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