Secret peace negotiations had been carried on since fall 1741, yet still Frederick invaded Bohemia and defeated the Austrian troops at the Battle of Chotusitz on 17 May 1742. By the agency of John Carmichael, 3rd Earl of Hyndford (mocked as "Hundsfott", "scoundrel" by Frederick), envoy of the British, which was eager to prevent further war in Europe, a peace was concluded.