The great struggle between him and the leading nobles had already commenced.

The people justly identified him with the whole infamous machinery of persecution, which had either originated or warmly made his own.

Viglius and Berlaymont were his creatures.

With the other members of the state council, according to their solemn statement, already recorded, he did not deign to consult, while he affected to hold them responsible for the measures of the administration.

Even the Regent herself complained that the Cardinal took affairs quite out of her hands, and that he decided upon many important matters without her cognizance.