The so-called Political Testament, written by Charles Eusebius the Prince of Liechtenstein for his son and heir around 1680 includes, among other things, a substantial, detailed passage dedicated to music at the prince's court. Music is not just one element of court representation here. This key aspect, in the text of the instruction, comes with a detailed insight to possible problems with a music ensemble, as well as with the use and character of individual instruments. This study focuses primarily on the status of musical ensembles and musicians within the structure of the aristocratic court, beginning with Charles I (d. 1627), through a partial analysis of the situation at the court of his son Charles Eusebius (d. 1686) and finally brings an outline of the role of musicians and musical life with the third generation of princes from Liechtenstein. Certain continuity can be assumed, in particular, in attempting to adapt its own court to princely habits (for example, as regards the minimum number of trumpeters etc). In general, however, it must be stressed that the trumpeters or the trumpeter ensemble constituted an essential part of the princely court, whereas the existence of a musical ensemble always depended on the actual needs, preferences and economic possibilities of a particular prince.
In Czech history the theme of the Battle of White Mountain has repeatedly been used as a tool in political struggles. During the interwar period it was instrumentalized in connection with the extensive land reform and was presented as "redress for post-White Mountain grievances". This applied to the nobility in general and to the Liechtensteins in particular, where the actions of Charles of Liechtenstein were to be the main argument for expropriating their property without compensation. In the end, however, expropriation without compensation only affected the members of the Habsburg-Lothringen dynasty.
Different European states had different attitudes towards Jews and their social standing. In the Habsburg monarchy, several hundred people of the Jewish faith were ennobled between 1789 and 1918 (both in Austria and later in Hungary), while Jews were granted equal social status in 1867. In Prussia the social status of Jews had improved since the rule of Frederick II and in 1812 they were able to become Prussian citizens. However, Jewish emancipation reached a high point in July 1869 when a law on equal religious rights was declared in Prussia as well as in all the states of the North German Confederation. However, in Prussia the issue of granting aristocratic titles to people of the Jewish faith or of Jewish origin was, of course, more vexed and the ennoblement of these people was very rare.
In Czech historiography, Prince Charles I of Liechtenstein personifies the process of the post-White Mountain confiscations and the political and social changes in the post-White Mountain Czech lands. Between 1918 and 1945 he even became the subject of historiographical and journalistic discussion within Czech historiography, which was directly linked to the foundation and strengthening of the Czechoslovak Republic. These attitudes also led to discussions between historians standing on the side of the emergent Czechoslovak Republic and historians from the circle of the Prince of Liechtenstein. Contemporary research shows that the role of Charles I of Liechtenstein was by no means straightforward. This was due to the personal ambitions of the ruler of the emergent princely house, but also because of the complex historical context, when the representatives of the Central European aristocracy were searching for a place between the estates' community and the ruling dynasty. Charles I of Liechtenstein's case was also different due to geography and the individual countries where the Liechtensteins held positions, functions and offices. In the Margraviate of Moravia in particular, Charles I of Liechtenstein was the victim of confiscation declared during the Estates' Uprising. After the uprising had been defeated he could return to the country and reclaim his land. In Bohemia, Liechtenstein was rewarded for his loyalty to the Austrian house during the rebellion by soon becoming the emperor's commissar and then the emperor's governor. It was in that capacity that he arrested and tried the main rebels and presided over their execution at the Old Town Square. In the 1620s he organised the imperial confiscations in Bohemia. In Opava, which was gradually moving towards the Silesian principality, Liechtenstein attempted to enter as the supreme ruler and organise his own confiscations from this position. However, this manoeuvre came up against the interests of Emperor Ferdinand II and his central offices, which did not agree with such a division of the monarchy. But Charles I of Liechtenstein did make gains in Moravia, where he was awarded a large amount of property from his erstwhile opponent, the rebel provincial governor Ladislav Velen of Žerotín, the most important being the domain of Moravská Třebová. Charles I of Liechtenstein died in 1627 when, from the emperor’s perspective, peace and normality had finally returned to the Czech lands. His role in the confiscation process, albeit with certain dark shadows, nevertheless contributed towards the great advancement of the Princely House of the Liechtensteins, which would last for centuries.
Karl I von Liechtenstein (1569–1627) was the first member of the Liechtenstein family to become a Prince of Liechtenstein, thus he was the founder of the Princely Family of Liechtenstein. Karl was the elder son of Hartmann II, Baron of Liechtenstein (1544–1585) and his wife, Countess Anna Maria of Ortenburg (1547–1601). According to the directives of his father he was brought up in the Protestant faith and attended a school in Moravia, run by the Bohemian Brothers. In 1599 he converted to Catholicism. Shortly afterwards Emperor Rudolf II (1552– 1612) appointed him as Chief Intendant (head of the imperial household), the highest position at court, an office he held, with interruptions, until 1607. In the following power struggles within the House of Habsburg he allied himself with the party of Archduke Matthias (1557–1619), who made him a hereditary prince in 1608. In 1614, Karl added the regency of the Silesian Duchy of Troppau (Opava) to his possessions. As a mark of gratitude for further aid before the Battle of White Mountain near Prague (8 November 1620) Karl was appointed to the positions of governor and "vice-regent" of the kingdom of Bohemia (at first provisionally, in January 1622 permanently) and as the first member of his family he was also bestowed with the Order of the Golden Fleece. As part of his function he led the capture and execution of the leaders of the Bohemian uprising (1618–1620). He did this in close co-ordination with Emperor Ferdinand II. To set an example, twentyseven leaders of the rebellion were arrested and sentenced to death. Ferdinand II confirmed the sentences and Karl presided over the public executions on 21 June 1621. Where possible, Karl recommended clemency to keep the bloodshed to a minimum. And indeed the Emperor commuted some of the death sentences. In 1622 Karl also gained the Silesian Duchy of Jägerndorf (Krnov) along with confiscated "rebel property" in Bohemia and Moravia. Karl was among those who made very large acquisitions. These were partly grants by the Crown in repayment of previous loans, and partly purchases at advantageous prices. At the end of the nineteenth century it was estimated that 41% of the then existing Liechtenstein family property had been acquired between 1620 and 1650. It is difficult to assess the first Prince of Liechtenstein. Little is known about his personality. Such evidence as there is suggests that Karl's disposition was moderate, except for his resolute accumulation of property. Given the standards then prevailing in Western Europe, the public execution of 27 "rebels" might be thought, for the times, a not exceptional retribution for what had occurred in Bohemia. Karl died on 12 February 1627 in Prague.
This study examines the procedure of a candidate nomination for the land offices in beginning of the 17th century Duchy of Opava. The estate's degree of participation on the nominating process is examined as well as the personal composition of the Opavian land court. On the basis of detailed analysis author describes the effort of Opavian estates to ensure the appointig of the land offices (mainly the highest chamberlain and judge), which were vacant since 1604. Together with complicated religious-political situation in Opava it made impossible to hold sessions of land court after 1604. In spirit of catholic offensive at the turn of the 16th and 17th century the emperor Rudolf II. tried to enforce obedience of the non-catholic citizens of Opava. In 1606 he nominated as a new sheriff the avid catholic knight Šťastný Mošovský of Moravčín. Besides that Rudolf II. set up the winter apartments for the army of Fridrich Geissberger of Geisberg which led to the conquest of Opava in autumn 1607. After that the emperor nominated a catholic noble man Pertold Tvorkovský of Kravaře as the highest judge of Duchy of Opava and this article examines his career as a land officer as well. In 1609 after the rezignation of sheriff Šťastný Mošovský of Moravčín the sessions of the land court were finally reestablished but the process of appointing the land offices in Duchy of Opava wasn't solved properly with new reign of Matyáš II. either.