at Denremonde, with Horn, Hoogstraaten, and the Prince of Orange.  He had taken under his protection on the 20th April, 1566, the confederacy of the rebels; had promised that they should never be molested, for the future, on account of the inquisition or the edicts, and that so long as they kept within the terms of the Petition and the Compromise, he would defend them with his own person.  He had granted liberty of preaching outside the walls in many cities within his government.  He had said repeatedly, that if the King desired to introduce the inquisition into the Netherlands, he would sell all his property and remove to another land; thus declaring with how much contempt and detestation he regarded the said inquisition.  He had winked at all the proceedings of the sectaries.  He had permitted the cry of “Vivent les gueux” at his table.  He had assisted at the banquet at Culemburg House.

These were the principal points in the interminable act of accusation.  Like the Admiral, Egmont admitted many of the facts, and flatly denied the rest.  He indignantly repelled the possibility of a treasonable inference from any of, or all, his deeds.  He had certainly desired the removal of Granvelle, for he believed that the King’s service would profit by his recal.  He replied, almost in the same terms as the Admiral had done, to the charge concerning the livery, and asserted that its principal object had been to set an example of economy.  The fool’s-cap and bells had been changed to a bundle of arrows, in consequence of a certain rumor which became rife in Brussels, and in obedience to an ordinance of Madame de Parma.  As to the assembling of the states-general, the fusion of the councils, the moderation of the edicts, he had certainly been in favor of these measures, which he considered to be wholesome and lawful, not mischievous or treasonable.  He had certainly maintained that the edicts were rigorous, and had advised the Duchess, under the perilous circumstances of the country, to grant a temporary modification until the pleasure of his Majesty could be known.  With regard to the Compromise, he had advised all his friends to keep out of it, and many in consequence had kept out of it.  As to the presentation of the petition, he had given Madame de Parma notice thereof, so soon as he had heard that such a step was contemplated.  He used the same language as had been employed by Horn, with regard to the interview at Breda and Hoogstraaten—­that they had been meetings of “good cheer” and good fellowship.  He had always been at every moment at the command of the Duchess, save when he had gone to Flanders and Artois to suppress the tumults, according to her express orders.  He had no connexion with the meeting of the nobles at Saint Trond.  He had gone to Duffel as special envoy from the Duchess, to treat with certain plenipotentiaries appointed at the Saint Trond meeting.  He had strictly conformed to the letter of instructions, drawn up by the Duchess,