At last Granvelle sent down a peremptory order to execute the culprits by fire.

On the 27th of April, 1562, Faveau and Mallart were accordingly taken from their jail and carried to the market-place, where arrangements had been made for burning them.

Simon Faveau, as the executioner was binding him to the stake, uttered the invocation, "O! Eternal Father!" A woman in the crowd, at the same instant, took off her shoe and threw it at the funeral pile.

This was a preconcerted signal.

A movement was at once visible in the crowd.
Men in great numbers dashed upon the barriers which had been erected in the square around the place of execution.