But he excepted by name several hundred emigrants, all the Protestant clergy, all who had helped them, all iconoclasts, all who had signed petitions for religious liberty, and all who had rebelled.

As these exceptions included the greater portion of those who stood in need of pardon the measure proved illusory as a means of reconciliation.

Coupled with it were other measures, including the prohibition to subjects to attend foreign universities, intended to put a check on free trade in ideas.
[Sidenote: Taxation] Alva's difficulties and the miseries of the unhappy land entrusted to his tender mercies were increased by want of money.

Notwithstanding the privilege of {260} granting their own taxes the States General were summoned [Sidenote: March 21, 1569] and forced to accept new imposts of one per cent.

on all property real and personal, ten per cent.