He complained of the insolence of the states, of the importunity of the council which they had forced upon him, of the insufficient sums which they furnished both for him and his troops, of the daily insults offered to the Catholic religion.

He protested that he should consider himself disgraced in the eyes of all Christendom, should he longer consent to occupy his present ignoble position.

But two ways were open to him, he observed; either to retire altogether from the Nether lands, or to maintain his authority with the strong hand, as became a prince.

The first course would cover him with disgrace.

It was therefore necessary for him to adopt the other.