After taking Zierikzee on June 29, the Spanish army turned to Aalst, quartered the soldiers on the inhabitants, and forced the loyal city to pay the full costs of their maintenance.

If even the Catholics were alienated by this, the Protestants went so far as to preach that any Spaniard might be murdered without sin.

In the concerted action against Spain the Estates of Brabant now took the leading part; meeting at Brussels they intimidated the Council of State and raised an army of 3000 men.

By this time Holland and Zeeland were to all intents and purposes an independent state.

The Calvinists, strong among the native population, were recruited by a vast influx of immigrants from other Provinces until theirs became the dominant religion.