Such is a slight sketch of the revels by which this ill-fated Bartholomew marriage was celebrated.  While William of Orange was thus employed in Germany, Granvelle seized the opportunity to make his entry into the city of Mechlin, as archbishop; believing that such a step would be better accomplished in the absence of the Prince from the country.  The Cardinal found no one in the city to welcome him.  None of the great nobles were there.  “The people looked upon the procession with silent hatred.  No man cried, God bless him.”  He wrote to the King that he should push forward the whole matter of the bishoprics as fast as possible, adding the ridiculous assertion that the opposition came entirely from the nobility, and that “if the seigniors did not talk so much, not a man of the people would open his mouth on the subject.”

The remonstrance offered by the three estates of Brabant against the scheme had not influenced Philip.  He had replied in a peremptory tone.  He had assured them that he had no intention of receding, and that the province of Brabant ought to feel itself indebted to him for having given them prelates instead of abbots to take care of their eternal interests, and for having erected their religious houses into episcopates.  The abbeys made what resistance they could, but were soon fain to come to a compromise with the bishops, who, according to the arrangement thus made, were to receive a certain portion of the abbey revenues, while the remainder was to belong to the institutions, together with a continuance of their right to elect their own chiefs, subordinate, however, to the approbation of the respective prelates of the diocese.  Thus was the episcopal matter settled in Brabant.  In many of the other bishoprics the new dignitaries were treated with disrespect, as they made their entrance into their cities, while they experienced endless opposition and annoyance on attempting to take possession of the revenue assigned to them.

     Etext editor’s bookmarks: 

     History shows how feeble are barriers of paper
     Licences accorded by the crown to carry slaves to America
     We believe our mothers to have been honest women
     When the abbot has dice in his pocket, the convent will play
     Wiser simply to satisfy himself

MOTLEY’S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, PG EDITION, VOLUME 7.

The rise of the Dutch republic
John Lothrop Motley, D.C.L., LL.D.
1855
1561-1562 [Chapter III.]