The article deals with the state-of-the-law ideas of Czech Vice-King William Slavata of Chlum and Košumberk, who became the object of Pragueʼs second defenestration. He describes his evolution of opinion from the evangelical family environment to his catholic beliefs, when he became a keen cenraliser. The main focus is on his tenure as both an emperorʼs mentor and a Czech patriot, seeing, of course, the future of the state and nation under Habsburg rule, in which estates would occupy a secondary role.