Sturmpetition 1619

Sturmpetition 1619: On June 5, 1619 a group of 50 Protestant Austrian aristocrats, headed by Paul Jakob von Starhemberg, went to the Hofburg palace to petition Archduke Ferdinand II. When the situation escalated and physical violence seemed imminent, several cavalry companies of the Dampierre regiment, under the command of Gilbert de Saint Hilaire came riding into the Hofburg palace. The aristocrats feared that the troops had been called in to arrest them, moderated their behaviour and the Sturmpetition petered out. Ferdinand attributed his rescue to having said a prayer before a crucifix, which can today be seen in the high altar of the chapel of the Hofburg palace. Painters of the 19^th century popularised the event. Until 1918 the commander of the Cuirassier Regiment No. 8 had the right to see the Emperor without prior notice.

Literature: K. Völker, Die Sturmpetition der evangelischen Stände, Jahrbuch für die Geschichte des Protestantismus in Österreich 57, 1936.