 John de Britto's preaching led to the conversion of Thadiyathevan (தடியத் தேவன்), a Marava prince who had several wives.When Thadiyathevan was required to dismiss all his wives but one, a serious problem arose.One of the wives was a niece of the neighbouring king, the Sethupathi (சேதுபதி), the King of Ramnad (Ramanathapuram), who took up her quarrel and began a general persecution of Christians.