The Duke of Aerschot had recently been appointed to the government of Flanders by the State Council, but the choice was exceedingly distasteful to a large number of the inhabitants.

Although, since the defeat of Don John's party in Antwerp, Aerschot had again become "the affectionate brother" of Orange, yet he was known to be the head of the cabal which had brought Matthias from Vienna.

Flanders, moreover, swarmed with converts to the Reformed religion, and the Duke's strict Romanism was well known.

The people, therefore, who hated the Pope and adored the Prince, were furious at the appointment of the new governor, but by dint of profuse promises regarding the instant restoration of privileges and charters which had long lain dormant, the friends of Aerschot succeeded in preparing the way for his installation.
On the 20th of October, attended by twenty-three companies of infantry and three hundred horse, he came to Ghent.

That famous place was still one of the most powerful and turbulent towns in Europe.