In Brussels Baron de Heze (a god-child of the prince) had been appointed to the command of the troops in the pay of the Estates of Brabant.

De Heze exerted himself to arouse popular opinion in the capital in favour of Orange and against the Spaniards.

To such an extent was he successful that he ventured, Sept.

21, to arrest the whole of the Council of State with the exception of the Spanish member Roda, who fled to Antwerp.

William now entered into direct negotiations with Aerschot and other prominent nobles of Flanders and Brabant.