Meantime, at the close of the year, a new incident came to add to the gravity of the situation.

Caspar Schetz, Baron of Grobbendonck, gave a Great dinner-party, in the month of December, 1563.

This personage, whose name was prominent for many years in the public affairs of the nation, was one of the four brothers who formed a very opulent and influential mercantile establishment.
He was the King's principal factor and financial agent.

He was one of the great pillars of the Bourse at Antwerp.

He was likewise a tolerable scholar, a detestable poet, an intriguing politician, and a corrupt financier.