The governor-general's troops no less than those of Orange clamoured for their regular pay, and it was necessary to find means to satisfy them.
The taxes voted for nine years in 1559 had come to an end.

New taxes could only be imposed with the assent of the States-General.

Alva, however, after his victory at Jemmingen and the dispersion of the army of Orange, felt himself strong enough to summon the States-General and demand their assent to the scheme of taxation which he proposed.

The governor-general asked for (1) a tax of five per cent., the "twentieth penny," on all transfers of real estate, (2) a tax of ten per cent., the "tenth penny," on all sales of commodities.

These taxes, which were an attempt to introduce into the Netherlands the system known in Castile as _alcabala_, were to be granted in perpetuity, thus, as the duke hoped, obviating the necessity of having again to summon the States-General.