The bloody edict, issued at Worms, without even a pretence of sanction by the estates, was carried into immediate effect.

The papal inquisition was introduced into the provinces to assist its operations.

The bloody work, for which the reign of Charles is mainly distinguished in the Netherlands, now began.
In 1523, July 1st, two Augustine monks were burned at Brussels, the first victims to Lutheranism in the provinces.

Erasmus observed, with a sigh, that "two had been burned at Brussels, and that the city now began strenuously to favor Lutheranism." Pope Adrian the Sixth, the Netherland boat-maker's son and the Emperor's ancient tutor, was sufficiently alive to the sins of churchmen.

The humble scholar of Utrecht was, at least, no Borgia.