His object was doubtless in large part to facilitate the extirpation of heresy, but it was also significant as one more instance of the nationalization of the church, a tendency so strong that neither Catholic nor Protestant countries escaped from it.
In this case all the appointments were to be made by the king with consent of the pope.

The people resented the autocratic features of a plan they might otherwise have approved; a cry was raised throughout the provinces that their freedom was infringed upon, and that the plan furnished a new instrument to the hated inquisition.
[Sidenote: February, 1561] Granvelle, more than ever detested when he received the cardinal's hat, was dubbed "the red devil," "the archrascal," "the red dragon," "the Spanish swine," "the pope's dung." In July Egmont and Orange sent their resignations from the Council of State to Philip, saying that they could no longer share the responsibility for Granvelle's policy, especially as everything was done behind their backs.

Philip, however, was slow to take alarm.

For the moment his attention was taken up with the growth of the Huguenot party in France and his efforts centered on helping the French Catholics against them.

But the Netherlands were {253} importunate.