If the contrary should ever prove the case, he had desired them to give him information to that effect, that he might instantly apply the remedy.

They accordingly now gave him that information.

They were consulted upon small matters: momentous affairs were decided upon in their absence.

Still they would not even now have complained had not Cardinal Granvelle declared that all the members of the state council were to be held responsible for its measures, whether they were present at its decisions or not.

Not liking such responsibility, they requested the King either to accept their resignation or to give orders that all affairs should be communicated to the whole board and deliberated upon by all the councillors.
In a private letter, written some weeks later (August 15), Egmont begged secretary Erasso to assure the King that their joint letter had not been dictated by passion, but by zeal for his service.