On his return to Madrid he showed plainly that he meant to treat the Netherland provinces as if they were dependencies of the Spanish crown, and he required from Margaret and her advisers that all the details of policy, legislation and administration should be submitted to him for supervision and sanction.

This necessitated the writing of voluminous despatches and entailed with a man of his habits of indecision interminable delays.

Margaret moreover was instructed that in all matters she must be guided by the advice of her three councils.

By far the most important of the three was the Council Of State, which at this time consisted of five members--Anthony Granvelle, Bishop of Arras; Baron de Barlaymont; Viglius van Zwychem van Aytta; Lamoral, Count of Egmont; and William, Prince of Orange.

Barlaymont was likewise president of the Council of Finance and Viglius president of the Privy Council.