They were owed long arrears of pay, had endured great hardships, and now that they saw themselves deprived of the hope of the pillage of the town, they put their commander and his officers under arrest and marched under a leader elected by themselves into Utrecht.

Other mutinies occurred in various parts of the southern provinces, for Requesens had no funds, and it was useless to appeal to Philip, for the Spanish treasury was empty.

This state of things led to a practical cessation of active hostilities for many months; and Requesens seized the opportunity to open negotiations with Orange.

These were, however, doomed to be fruitless, for the king would not hear of any real concessions being made to the Protestants.

The position of William was equally beset with difficulties, politically and financially.