Father-in-law bequeathed Hungary to Sigismund: [1387 (Sigismund's age then twenty).] who plunged into a strange sea thereby; got troubles without number, beatings not a few,--and had even to take boat, and sail for his life down to Constantinople, at one time.

In which sad adventure Burggraf Johann escorted him, and as it were tore him out by the hair of the head.
These troubles and adventures lasted many years; in the course of which, Sigismund, trying all manner of friends and expedients, found in the Burggraves of Nurnberg, Johann and Friedrich, with their talents, possessions and resources, the main or almost only sure support he got.
No end of troubles to Sigismund, and to Brandenburg through him, from this sublime Hungarian legacy! Like a remote fabulous golden-fleece, which you have to go and conquer first, and which is worth little when conquered.

Before ever setting out (A.D.

1387), Sigismund saw too clearly he would have cash to raise: an operation he had never done with, all his life afterwards.

He pawned Brandenburg to Cousin Jobst of Mahren; got "20,000 Bohemian gulden,"-- I guess, a most slender sum, if Dryasdust would but interpret it.