In the autumn of 1562 Montigny was sent on a special mission to Madrid, but returned without effecting anything.

Orange, Egmont and Hoorn thereupon drew up a joint letter containing a bold demand for the dismissal of Granvelle, as the chief cause of all the troubles in the land.

The king replied by asking that one of them should go in person to Spain to discuss the grievances with him, and suggesting that Egmont should be sent.

Egmont however was averse to the proposal, and another and stronger letter signed by the three leaders was despatched to Madrid.

Finding that both Margaret and Granvelle himself were in agreement with Orange, Egmont and Hoorn in their view of the situation, Margaret advising, with the cardinal's acquiescence, the necessity of the minister's removal from his post, Philip determined at last that Granvelle should leave the Netherlands.