The contest between the Duke and the estates, on the subject of the tenth and twentieth penny had been for a season adjusted.  The two years’ term, however, during which it had been arranged that the tax should be commuted, was to expire in the autumn of 1571.  Early therefore in this year the disputes were renewed with greater acrimony than ever.  The estates felt satisfied that the King was less eager than the Viceroy.  Viglius was satisfied that the power of Alva was upon the wane.  While the King was not likely openly to rebuke his recent measures, it seemed not improbable that the Governor’s reiterated requests to be recalled might be granted.  Fortified by these considerations, the President, who had so long been the supple tool of the tyrant, suddenly assumed the character of a popular tribune.  The wranglings, the contradictions, the vituperations, the threatenings, now became incessant in the council.  The Duke found that he had exulted prematurely, when he announced to the King the triumphant establishment, in perpetuity, of the lucrative tax.  So far from all the estates having given their consent, as he had maintained, and as he had written to Philip, it now appeared that not one of those bodies considered itself bound beyond its quota for the two years.  This was formally stated in the council by Berlaymont and other members.  The wrath of the Duke blazed forth at this announcement.  He berated Berlaymont for maintaining, or for allowing it to be maintained, that the consent of the orders had ever been doubtful.  He protested that they had as unequivocally agreed to the perpetual imposition of the tag as he to its commutation during two years.  He declared, however, that he was sick of quotas.  The tax should now be collected forthwith, and Treasurer Schetz was ordered to take his measures accordingly.

At a conference on the 29th May, the Duke asked Viglius for his opinion.  The President made a long reply, taking the ground that the consent of the orders had been only conditional, and appealing to such members of the finance council as were present to confirm his assertion.  It was confirmed by all.  The Duke, in a passion, swore that those who dared maintain such a statement should be chastised.  Viglius replied that it had always been the custom for councillors to declare their opinion, and that they had never before been threatened with such consequences.  If such, however, were his Excellency’s sentiments, councillors had better stay at home, hold their tongues, and so avoid chastisement.  The Duke, controlling himself a little, apologized for this allusion to chastisement, a menace which he disclaimed having intended with reference to councillors whom he had always commended to the King, and of whom his Majesty had so high an opinion.  At a subsequent meeting the Duke took Viglius aside, and assured him that he was quite of his own way of thinking.  For certain reasons, however, he expressed himself as unwilling that the