Thus pressed, the council of Brabant declared roundly that no inquisition of any kind had ever existed, in the provinces.

It was impossible that any other answer could be given, but Viglius, with his associates in the privy council, were extremely angry at the conclusion.
The concession was, however, made, notwithstanding the bad example which, according to some persons, the victory thus obtained by so important a province would afford to the people in the other parts of the country.
Brabant was declared free of the inquisition.

Meanwhile the pamphlets, handbills, pasquils, and other popular productions were multiplied.

To use a Flemish expression, they "snowed in the streets." They were nailed nightly on all the great houses in Brussels.

Patriots were called upon to strike, speak, redress.