The death of Emperor Charles VI in October 1740 marked a significant turning point for Europe – the Habsburg line became extinct in the male line, and the deceased ruler's daughter, Maria Theresa, became his successor. A considerable portion of European monarchs opposed her claims to the throne, despite earlier agreements, with the most belligerent being King Frederick II of Prussia. The struggle for the Austrian territories ravaged Europe for a long eight years, and on more than one occasion, it seemed that the Habsburg monarchy under the young ruler would be torn apart... What do Žďár near Trutnov, Zahájí near České Budějovice, or Chotusice near Čáslav mean to anyone today? Yet, at one time, these were places that nearly all of Europe spoke of. On these "fields of glory," where mass graves have disappeared under the layers of time and where worn memorials still stand somewhere, the future of Europe was decided, just as in the battles for Prague or near Dettingen in Germany, Mollwitz in Silesia, or near Fontenoy in Flanders. An anonymous author of a pamphlet depicted this war as a moment when a host of European rulers descended upon the young Austrian archduchess to strip her of everything she wore. And that was indeed the case. However, this "skirt" was not willing to yield to the "trousers." She was determined...
