Joint letter to Philip, from Orange, Egmont, and Horn—­Egmont’s quarrel with Aerschot and with Aremberg—­Philip’s answer to the three nobles—­His instructions to the Duchess—­Egmont declines the King’s invitation to visit Spain—­Second letter of the three seigniors—­Mission of Armenteros—­Letter of Alva—­Secret letters of Granvelle to Philip—­The Cardinal’s insinuations and instructions—­ His complaints as to the lukewarmness of Berghen and Montigny in the cause of the inquisition—­Anecdotes to their discredit privately chronicled by Granvelle—­Supposed necessity for the King’s presence in the provinces—­Correspondence of Lazarus Schwendi—­Approaching crisis—­Anxiety of Granvelle to retire—­Banquet of Caspar Schetz—­ Invention of the foolscap livery—­Correspondence of the Duchess and of the Cardinal with Philip upon the subject—­Entire withdrawal of the three seigniors from the state council—­the King advises with Alva concerning the recall of Granvelle—­Elaborate duplicity of Philip’s arrangements—­His secret note to the Cardinal—­His dissembling letters to others—­Departure of Granvelle from the Netherlands—­Various opinions as to its cause—­Ludicrous conduct of Brederode and Hoogstraaten—­Fabulous statements in Granvelle’s correspondence concerning his recall—­Universal mystification—­The Cardinal deceived by the King—­Granvelle in retirement—­His epicureanism—­Fears in the provinces as to his return—­Universal joy at his departure—­Representations to his discredit made by the Duchess to Philip—­Her hypocritical letters to the Cardinal—­ Masquerade at Count Mansfeld’s—­Chantonnay’s advice to his brother—­ Review of Granvelle’s administration and estimate of his character.

On the 11th March, 1563, Orange, Horn, and Egmont united in a remarkable letter to the King.  They said that as their longer “taciturnity” might cause the ruin of his Majesty’s affairs, they were at last compelled to break silence.  They hoped that the King would receive with benignity a communication which was pure, frank, and free from all passion.  The leading personages of the province, they continued, having thoroughly examined the nature and extent of Cardinal Granvelle’s authority, had arrived at the conclusion that every thing was in his hands.  This persuasion, they said, was rooted in the hearts of all his Majesty’s subjects, and particularly in their own, so deeply, that it could not be eradicated as long as the Cardinal remained.  The King was therefore implored to consider the necessity of remedying the evil.  The royal affairs, it was affirmed, would never be successfully conducted so long as they were entrusted to Granvelle, because he was so odious to so many people.  If the danger were not imminent, they should not feel obliged to write to his Majesty with so much vehemence.  It was, however, an affair which allowed neither delay nor dissimulation.  They therefore prayed the King, if they had ever deserved credence in things of weight, to believe them now.  By so doing,