To further humiliate the citizens, on May 3, 1540, by order of the ruler, 30 of the most prominent citizens, 318 members of the smaller guilds, and 50 members of the weavers' guild had to march through the city barefoot, clad only in shirts.

They were followed by 50 of the biggest rebels, also barefoot, wearing white shirts and with nooses around their necks - as a sign that they deserved the gallows for their rebellion against the emperor. They had to kneel before the emperor and beg for forgiveness. To this day, the residents of Ghent are called stroppendragers - those who wear the noose.