[A.D. 1458.]
CHAP. LXXIV.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, AT THE REQUEST OF THE TOWN OF GHENT, GOES THITHER.—A GREAT FEAST IS MADE THERE.
On the 23d day of April, after Easter, in the year 1458, duke Philip of Burgundy made his entry into the town of Ghent, at the request of the inhabitants,—but not on their first soliciting it, for they had frequently made this request through the dauphin and other great lords. He would not, however, agree to go thither until that day, when he made his entry with the dauphin; for he would not, for particular reasons, take thither the count de Charolois, nor the lord de Croy his first chamberlain. He was there received with greater honours than any prince had ever obtained, for the whole town came out to meet him,—the churchmen, in their robes and copes, as far as a quarter of a league, followed by the officers of justice, as well those of the town as of the prince,—then the deacons of the different trades, to the number of seventy, each attended by ten of his trade, all variously and appropriately dressed: after them came the knights, esquires, and burghers of the town, to the amount of more than four hundred.
When they approached the duke, the bailiff of Ghent advanced and addressed him, saying, that the inhabitants of the town of Ghent were come out to meet him,—and he entreated that he would hear what they had to say. The chief magistrate of the town then stept forth, and made the following harangue: 'My most redoubted lord, behold your subjects of Ghent, who request and supplicate (here they all fell on their knees, with uplifted hands,) that you would be pleased to forget and forgive all their former outrages and ill conduct, for they are ready and willing to obey you in all things, to remain your faithful servants, and, should need be, to die for you.' He added other words nearly to the same purport.
With the duke were the count d'Estampes, the lord de Ravenstein, and others, to the number of three hundred knights. When this harangue was finished, the duke advanced to the town, the procession that had come out to meet him taking the lead, and the duke following, preceded by his heralds and trumpets in their tabards of arms. He was surrounded by fifty archers of his body-guard, clothed in their jackets, each having a hunting spear in his hand. When the duke approached the gates, he found them open, for they had been thrown into the fields; and as he passed, a virgin descended by machinery, who saluted him, and said, 'Inveni quem diligit anima mea.'
From this gate to the ducal palace, all the streets were hung with rich cloths; and at the windows of the houses were numberless lighted torches, and the people crying for joy at seeing their lord, and conducting themselves with the utmost humility.
At each of the squares on his way were temporary stages erected, whereon very magnificent historical pantomimes were acted, and great bonfires were made in every street. So many fine shows were exhibited that the whole seemed like a dream; and the duke was two hours before he arrived at his palace, from the pleasure he took in looking at such beautiful pageants.
At the entrance of his palace was a man dressed in skins to represent a lion, who took his horse by the bridle and led him into the court-yard. On the morrow, the town repeated these rejoicings, and placed tables covered with all sorts of refreshments in the streets, for all to partake of who would, showing the greatest joy and humility on the occasion.