An Armed Christmas Eve in 1590

The conditions of the time are characterised by the fact that in 1590 a rumour spread that on Christmas Day those who received communion in both kinds would be set upon by Catholics in their churches here, in the Týn and at Saint Nicholas in the Lesser Town, and murdered. Rudolf II had it proclaimed through the city by mandate that no one should believe it — but for all that, watches were posted everywhere on Christmas Eve and the neighbours came to the churches all of them armed.