The confederates obtain permission on April 5, 1565, to present a petition of grievances, called the Request, to the regent, Margaret of Austria, duchess of Parma.

About two hundred and fifty nobles march to the palace accompanied by Louis of Nassau and Bréderode.

The regent is at first alarmed at the appearance of so large a body, but one of her councilors, Berlaymont by name, is heard to exclaim, "What, madam, is your highness afraid of these beggars (ces gueux)?"

At a great feast held by some three hundred confederates at the Hotel Culemburg three days later, Bréderode in a speech declares that if need be they are all ready to become beggars in their country's cause.

The words catch on, and the hall resounds with loud cries of "Vivent les gueux!"

The name becomes henceforward a party appellation.

The patriot party adopts the emblems of beggarhood, the wallet and the bowl, as trinkets to be worn on their hats or their girdles, and a medal is struck having on one side the head of Philip II, on the other two clasped hands with the motto Fidèle au roy, jusque'à porter la besace ("Loyal to the King, till carrying the beggar's pouch").