Among these were Aremberg, Meghem and Mansfeld.

Egmont hesitated.

As might have been expected, the news of the outrages, when it reached Philip's ears, filled him with rage and grief; and he is reported to have exclaimed, "It shall cost them dear.

I swear it by the soul of my father." From this time forward he was determined to visit with exemplary punishment not only the rioters and the Protestant sectaries, but more especially the great nobles on whose shoulders he laid the whole blame for the troubles that had arisen.
He was in no hurry to act, and announced that it was his intention to go to the Netherlands in person and enquire into the alleged grievances.

So he told his councillors and wrote to Margaret.