This petition the Prince peremptorily refused, and the deputies, as well as their constituents, acquiesced in the decision, "out of especial regard and respect for his person." He, however, distinctly informed the Duchess that it would be difficult or impossible to maintain such a position long, and that his departure from the city would probably be followed by an outbreak.

He warned her that it was very imprudent for him to leave Antwerp at that particular juncture.

Nevertheless, the meeting of the Fleece-knights seemed, in Margaret's opinion, imperatively to require his presence in Brussels.

She insisted by repeated letters that he should leave Antwerp immediately.
Upon the 18th August, the great and time-honored ceremony of the Ommegang occurred.

Accordingly, the great procession, the principal object of which was to conduct around the city a colossal image of the Virgin, issued as usual from the door of the cathedral.