The Duchess sent orders, but she sent no troops.

The trained-bands of the city, the cross-bow-men of St.Maurice, the archers of St.Sebastian, the sword-players of St.Christopher, could not be ordered from Tournay to suppress the preaching, for they had all gone to the preaching themselves.

How idle, therefore; to send peremptory orders without a matchlock to enforce the command.
Throughout Flanders similar scenes were enacted.

The meetings were encampments, for the Reformers now came to their religious services armed to the teeth, determined, if banished from the churches, to defend their right to the fields.

Barricades of upturned wagons, branches, and planks, were thrown up around the camps.