The provost of merchants and the sheriffs of Paris came out as far as La Chapelle to meet him, attended by the citizens, cross-bows, and archers of the town, dressed in robes similar to those of the peers. When they met the king, the provost presented him with the keys of Paris, which the king delivered to the care of the constable. The provost and sheriffs, then expanded a blue canopy, studded with flowers de luce of gold, over the king's head, and thus supported it as he proceeded.
He was next met by the governor of Paris, attended by his common sergeants, having each of them a hood half green and half crimson. After the sergeants came the notaries, attornies, advocates and commissaries of the Chastelet. Then came persons representing the seven virtues and the seven deadly sins, dressed in character, and on horseback: they were followed by the judges of the parliament, of the court of requests, the presidents and by crowds of people.
Thus nobly accompanied did the king make his entry into the city of Paris by the gate of St Denis. Three angels supported a shield bearing the arms of France over the gate above which were placed angels singing and underneath was written in large characters,
'Most excellent and noble king,
The burghers of this loyal town
To you their grateful offering bring,
And bow before your royal crown.'
At the little bridge was a fountain, over which was a pot having a flower de luce, whence spouted good hippocras, wine and water: two dolphins were playing in the fountain,—and above the whole was a terrace, vaulted with flowers de luce, which exhibited a representation of St John Baptist pointing to the Agnus Dei, surrounded with angels singing melodiously.
In front of Trinity-church was a pageant of the passion of our Lord, and how Judas hanged himself. Those who exhibited this did not speak, but acted as in a pantomime. The acting was good, and very affecting.
At the second gate were the figures of St Thomas, St Denis, St Maurice, St Louis of France, and Ste Genevieve in the middle. There was likewise a representation of the holy sepulchre, of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and of his meeting Mary Magdalen.
Item, at St Catherine's, in the street of St Denis, was a representation of the descent of the holy Ghost on the Apostles. Before the Châtelet was the annunciation of the angel to the shepherds, singing, 'Glory be to God on high,' &c. Suspended below the gate were represented the attributes of justice with divine law, the law of nature, and the law of man. On the opposite side, against the slaughter-houses, were exhibited the last judgement, paradise, and hell: in the centre was St Michael weighing souls in a balance.
Item, at the foot of the great bridge, behind the Châtelet, was represented the baptism of our Lord, and St Margaret issuing out of the mouth of a dragon.