The Dominicans of Cologne, headed by their inquisitor, James Hochstraten, made this the ground for a charge of heresy.

The case was appealed to Rome, and the trial, lasting six years, excited the interest of all Europe.

In Germany it was argued with much heat in a host of {55} pamphlets, all the monks and obscurantists taking the side of the inquisitors and all the humanists, save one, Ortuin Gratius of Cologne, taking the part of the scholar.

The latter received many warm expressions of admiration and support from the leading writers of the time, and published them in two volumes, the first in 1514, under the title _Letters of Eminent Men_.

It was this that suggested to the humanist, Crotus Bubeanus, the title of his satire published anonymously, _The Letters of Obscure Men_.