Many merchants and artisans were found among the adherents of the new faith.

While none of a higher rank openly professed it, theology became, under the lead of Margaret, a fashionable subject.

Conventicles were formed to read the Bible in secret not only among the middle classes but also at court.

Short tracts continued to be the best {193} methods of propaganda, and of these many were translations.

Louis de Berquin of Artois, [Sidenote: Berquin, 1490-1529] a layman, proved the most formidable champion of the new opinions.