nd vowed to effect his
ruin.

I was present on one occasion when the spirit which was abroad, even
among people of the highest rank, exhibited itself. When at Brussels,
our old friend Jasper Schetz, now Lord of Grobbendonck, invited Sir
Thomas to a banquet. A large party of Flemish nobles were collected,
among whom I felt myself a very humble person. The conversation turned
upon the thoroughly hated Cardinal Granvelle, his luxurious style of
living, and the air of haughty superciliousness with which he treated
all who approached him. As the wine circulated, the abuse of the
Cardinal became more vehement. His magnificent equipages, liveries, and
the arrangements of his household, excited their derision; the way he
lived, and the tinsel and glitter in which the prelate pranked himself,
were contrasted with the simple habits and garments of the nobles of
Germany.

At length it was proposed that the plainest possible livery should be
adopted for the servants of all present, as unlike as possible to that
worn by the menials of the Cardinal. Some one also proposed that a
symbol should be added to the livery, to show the universal contempt for
Granvelle. By whom should it be designed? was the question. It was
agreed that the matter should be decided by lot. Dice were called for.
Count Egmont won. A few days afterwards his retainers appeared in
doublet and hose of the coarsest grey, long hanging sleeves, such as
were worn by the humblest classes, the only ornament being a monk's
cowl, or a fool's cap and bells, embroidered on the sleeves. The other
nobles, who had been present at the dinner, ordered all their servants
to appear in the same costume, which now became so popular, that all the
tailors in Brussels could scarcely furnish those in demand. Many of
them, indeed, wore in front of their dress a fool's head with a
cardinal's hat upon it.

The Regent, Margaret of Parma, at first laughed with the rest at this
proceeding, as she had no love for Granvelle. She induced the nobles to
omit the fool's cap from the livery, and to substitute a bundle of
arrows, or a wheatsheaf. The Cardinal, who was soon after this
recalled, took care to avenge himself on those who had thus mocked him.
He represented to Philip, that though he could easily forgive the fools'
caps and cowls, yet the wheatsheaf and the bundle of arrows betokened
the existence of a conspiracy against the authority of the Prince
himself; and probably on