Weche playes were and are forbidden moche more strictly than any of the bookes of Martin Luther." These rhetoricians were now particularly inflamed against Granvelle.

They were personally excited against him, because he had procured the suppression of their religious dramas.

"These rhetoricians who make farces and street plays," wrote the Cardinal to Philip, "are particularly angry with me, because two years ago I prevented them from ridiculing the holy Scriptures." Nevertheless, these institutions continued to pursue their opposition to the course of the government.

Their uncouth gambols, their awkward but stunning blows rendered daily service to the cause of religious freedom.

Upon the newly-appointed bishops they poured out an endless succession of rhymes and rebuses, epigrams, caricatures and extravaganzas.