At first the great nobles stood aloof, doubtful what course to pursue.  At the instigation of Orange conferences were held, at which, by his advice, a petition or Request, setting forth the grievances and asking for redress, should be made in writing for presentation to the regent.  The original draft of this document was the work of Lewis of Nassau.  These conferences, however, revealed that there was a considerable divergence of views among the leading nobles.  Egmont and Meghem were indeed so alarmed at the character of the movement, which seemed to them to savour of treason, that they separated themselves henceforth from Orange and Hoorn and openly took the side of the government.  The duchess after some demur agreed to receive the petition.  A body of confederates under the leadership of Brederode and Lewis of Nassau marched to the palace, where they were received by Margaret in person.  The petitioners asked the regent to send an envoy to Madrid to lay before the king the state of feeling among his loyal subjects in the Netherlands, praying him to withdraw the Inquisition and moderate the placards against heresy, and meanwhile by her own authority to suspend them until the king’s answer had been received.  The regent replied that she had no power to suspend the Inquisition or the placards, but would undertake, while awaiting the royal reply, to mitigate their operation.

On the last day of their stay at Brussels, April 8, the confederates under the presidency of Brederode, to the number of about three hundred, dined together at the Hotel Culemburg.  In the course of the meal Brederode drew the attention of the company now somewhat excited with wine to a contemptuous phrase attributed by common report to Barlaymont.  Margaret was somewhat perturbed at the formidable numbers of the deputation, as it entered the palace court, and it was said that Barlaymont remarked that “these beggars” (ces gueux) need cause her no fear.  Brederode declared that he had no objection to the name and was quite willing to be “a beggar” in the cause of his country and his king.  It was destined to be a name famous in history.  Immediately loud cries arose from the assembled guests, until the great hall echoed with the shouts of Vivent les Gueux.  From this date onwards the confederates were known as “les gueux,” and they adopted a coarse grey dress with the symbols of beggarhood—­the wallet and the bowl—­worn as the insignia of their league.  It was the beginning of a popular movement, which made rapid headway among all classes.  A medal was likewise struck, which bore on one side the head of the king, on the other two clasped hands with the inscription—­Fideles au roy jusques a la besace.