Not only heretics were punished but also agitators and those who had advocated tolerance.

Sincere Catholics, indeed, noted that the crime of heresy was generally the mere pretext for dealing with patriots and all those obnoxious to the government.

[Sidenote: Executions] For the first time we have definite statistics of the numbers executed.

For instance, on January 4, 1568, 48 persons were sentenced to death, on February 20, 37; on February 21, 71; on March 20, 55; and so on for day after day, week in and week out.

On March 3 at the same hour throughout the whole land 1500 men were executed.