All men were enjoined to slay one or all of them, wherever they should be found; to refuse them bread, water, and fire, and to assemble at sound of bell; in every city; whenever the magistrates should order an assault upon them.

A still more stringent edict was issued on the 2nd of August; and so eagerly had these degrees been expected, that they were published throughout Flanders and Brabant almost as soon as issued.

Hitherto the leading officers of the Spanish army had kept aloof from the insurgents, and frowned upon their proceedings.

The Spanish member of the State Council, Jerome de Roda, had joined without opposition in the edict.

As, however, the mutiny gathered strength on the outside, the indignation waxed daily within the capital.