On the 29th of April, detachments of Bossu's and of Berghen's "band of ordonnance" were sent into Valenciennes, together with a company of the Duke of Aerschot's regiment.

The prisons were instantly filled to overflowing with men and women arrested for actual or suspected participation in the tumult.
Orders had been sent down from the capital to make a short process and a sharp execution for all the criminals.

On the 16th of May, the slaughter commenced.

Some were burned at the stake, some were beheaded: the number of victims was frightful.

"Nothing was left undone by the magistrates," says an eyewitness, with great approbation, "which could serve for the correction and amendment of the poor people." It was long before the judges and hangmen rested from their labors.