This so-called Council of Troubles, which speedily acquired in popular usage the name of the Council of Blood, virtually consisted of Alva himself, who was president and to whose final decision all cases were referred, and two Spanish lawyers, his chosen tools and agents, Juan de Vargas and Louis del Rio.

The two royalist nobles, Noircarmes and Barlaymont, and five Netherland jurists also had seats; but, as only the Spaniards voted, the others before long ceased to attend the meetings.

The proceedings indeed were, from the legal point of view, a mere travesty of justice.

A whole army of commissioners was let loose upon the land, and informers were encouraged and rewarded.

Multitudes of accused were hauled before the tribunal and were condemned by batches almost without the form of a trial.