Charles had, however, already, in the previous year appointed Francis Van der Hulst to be inquisitor-general for the Netherlands.  This man, whom Erasmus called a “wonderful enemy to learning,” was also provided with a coadjutor, Nicholas of Egmond by name, a Carmelite monk, who was characterized by the same authority as “a madman armed with a sword.”  The inquisitor-general received full powers to cite, arrest, imprison, torture heretics without observing the ordinary forms of law, and to cause his sentences to be executed without appeal.  He was, however, in pronouncing definite judgments, to take the advice of Laurens, president of the grand council of Mechlin, a coarse, cruel and ignorant man, who “hated learning with a more than deadly hatred,” and who might certainly be relied upon to sustain the severest judgments which the inquisitor might fulminate.  Adrian; accordingly, commissioned Van der Hulst to be universal and general inquisitor for all the Netherlands.  At the same time it was expressly stated that his functions were not to supersede those exercised by the bishops as inquisitors in their own sees.  Thus the papal inquisition was established in the provinces.  Van der Hulst, a person of infamous character, was not the man to render the institution less odious than it was by its nature.  Before he had fulfilled his duties two years, however, he was degraded from his office by the Emperor for having forged a document.  In 1525, Buedens, Houseau and Coppin were confirmed by Clement the Seventh as inquisitors in the room of Van der Hulst.  In 1531, Ruard Tapper and Michael Drutius were appointed by Paul the Third, on the decease of Coppin, the other two remaining in office.  The powers of the papal inquisitors had been gradually extended, and they were, by 1545, not only entirely independent of the episcopal inquisition, but had acquired right of jurisdiction over bishops and archbishops, whom they were empowered to arrest and imprison.  They had also received and exercised the privilege of appointing delegates, or sub-inquisitors, on their own authority.  Much of the work was, indeed, performed by these officials, the most notorious of whom were Barbier, De Monte, Titelmann, Fabry, Campo de Zon, and Stryen.  In 1545, and again in 1550, a stringent set of instructions were drawn up by the Emperor for the guidance of these papal inquisitors.  A glance at their context shows that the establishment was not intended to be an empty form.

They were empowered to inquire, proceed against, and chastise all heretics, all persons suspected of heresy, and their protectors.  Accompanied by a notary, they were to collect written information concerning every person in the provinces, “infected or vehemently suspected.”  They were authorized to summon all subjects of his Majesty, whatever their rank, quality, or station, and to compel them to give evidence, or to communicate suspicions.  They were to punish all who pertinaciously refused such depositions with