It required great boldness in Rhodolph to brave the wrath of these united nobles.

He did it fearlessly, issuing the decree that there should be no fortresses in his States which were not necessary for the public defense.

The whole country was spotted with castles, apparently impregnable in all the strength of stone and iron, the secure refuge of high-born nobles.

In one year seventy of these turreted bulwarks of oppression were torn down; and twenty-nine of the highest nobles, who had ventured upon insurrection, were put to death.

An earnest petition was presented to him in behalf of the condemned insurgents.
"Do not," said the king, "interfere in favor of robbers; they are not nobles, but accursed robbers, who oppress the poor, and break the public peace.