Michiel Coignet converted to the Protestant faith. After the Fall of Antwerp in 1585, he joined a local schutterij called the 'kolveniersgilde'. Since only Catholics were typically allowed to join the schutterij it is assumed that he had reconverted to Catholicism. His brother Gillis, however, did not and emigrated to Amsterdam where he had a successful career as an artist. In 1585 Coignet stopped teaching except for classes for military officers and sons of prosperous merchants.