Editing Johannes Kepler (section)

=== Troubles ===
[[File:Karlova str No4, Prague Old Town.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Karlova street in Old Town, [[Prague]]&nbsp;– the house where Kepler lived, now a museum]]
In 1611, the growing political-religious tensions in Prague came to a head. Emperor Rudolf's health was failing, and he was forced to abdicate as [[List of rulers of Bohemia|King of Bohemia]] by his brother [[Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor|Matthias]]. Both sides sought Kepler's astrological advice, an opportunity he used to deliver conciliatory political advice (with little reference to the stars, except in general statements to discourage drastic action). However, it was clear that Kepler's future prospects in the court of Matthias were bleak.<ref>Caspar, ''Kepler'', pp.&nbsp;202–204</ref>

Also in that year, Kepler's wife Barbara contracted [[Hungarian spotted fever]] and began having [[seizure]]s. While she was recovering, all three of their children fell sick with smallpox; six-year-old Friedrich died. Following his son's death, Kepler sent letters to potential patrons in [[Württemberg]] and [[Padua]]. At the [[University of Tübingen]] in Württemberg, concerns over Kepler's perceived [[Calvinist]] heresies in violation of the [[Augsburg Confession]] and the [[Formula of Concord]] prevented his return. The [[University of Padua]]—on the recommendation of the departing Galileo—sought Kepler to fill the mathematics professorship, but Kepler, preferring to keep his family in German territory, instead travelled to Austria to arrange a position as teacher and district mathematician in [[Linz]]. However, Barbara relapsed into illness and died shortly after Kepler's return.<ref>Connor, ''Kepler's Witch'', pp.&nbsp;222–226; Caspar, ''Kepler'', pp.&nbsp;204–207</ref>

Postponing the move to Linz, Kepler remained in Prague until Rudolf's death in early 1612, though political upheaval, religious tension, and family tragedy (along with the legal dispute over his wife's estate) prevented him from doing any research. Instead, he pieced together a chronology manuscript, ''Eclogae Chronicae'', from correspondence and earlier work. Upon his succession as Holy Roman Emperor, Matthias re-affirmed Kepler's position (and salary) as imperial mathematician but allowed him to move to Linz.<ref>Caspar, ''Kepler'', pp.&nbsp;208–211</ref>