During these days, many presents were made by the princes to the officers at arms, for which they cried out several times, with a loud voice, 'Largesse!' naming such as had given them a present.
On Tuesday, which was the vigil of St Andrew's day, the duke of Burgundy commenced his feast of the Golden Fleece, by hearing vespers in the choir of the church of St Bertin, accompanied by his brother knights clothed in their mantles, hoods, and in the full dress of the order. Above each of the knights' seats in the choir was an emblazoned tablet of his arms; but there were many knights, not present,—and six had died since the last celebration of this feast.
On the morrow, St Andrew's day, the knights, in handsome array, went to church in procession; and it was wonderous to see the very rich ornaments of the altar, as well as of the choir, so that both English and French marvelled at the great state and splendour of the duke of Burgundy.
After the church service, the duke seated himself at table in the midst of his knights, who were placed in the usual order on one side, and were abundantly well served. In the procession to and from church the oldest knight went last, according to the date of his knighthood.
On Thursday a chapter was held, for the filling up the vacant stalls, of those who were dead, which lasted a considerable time. It was there agreed on unanimously to offer a collar to the duke of Orleans,—and the bishop of Tournay and master Nicholas Raoullin, chancellor of Burgundy, were sent to him, to know if it would be agreeable to him to accept of it. When they had declared the wish to the duke of Burgundy and of his knights companions, the duke of Orleans replied, that he would willingly wear the order, in honour of his fair cousin the duke of Burgundy, and soon after entered the great hall,—whither came the duke of Burgundy with the knights-companions preceded by their officers at arms.
Golden Fleece, king at arms, bore on his arm a mantle and hood of the order, and, on approaching the duke of Orleans sir Hugh de Launoy (who had been deputed for this purpose) addressed him saying,—My most excellent, most puissant and most redoubted lord, my lord duke of Orleans, you see here in your presence my most redoubted lord my lord duke of Burgundy, and my lords his companions of the order of the Golden Fleece who have unanimously resolved, in full chapter, to present to you a collar of the said order, as a testimony of your high renown, prudence and valour, which they humbly entreat you will be pleased to accept of and wear, to promote that fraternal love and friendship which at present exists between you, and that it may be strengthened and preserved.'
The duke of Orleans having replied that he would willingly wear it, the duke of Burgundy advanced with one of the collars in his hand, which he presented to him, and placed round his neck, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and then kissed his cheek. The duke of Orleans then requested the duke would be pleased to wear his order, to which he assented,—and the duke of Orleans then drew a collar of his order from his sleeve, and put it round the duke of Burgundy's neck.
When the duke of Orleans had been dressed in the mantle and hood of the order, he was led to the chapter-house to take the accustomed oaths, and to assist in the election of four other knights; but they were not immediately named, and none but themselves knew to whom the vacant collars were to be given. The greater part of the nobles were much gratified by this exchange of orders, and that so much unanimity and concord existed between these two princes.
Some days afterward, the chapter was renewed, and it was determined to present the dukes of Brittany and of Alençon each with a collar; and Golden Fleece, king at arms was ordered to carry to them letters from the duke of Burgundy and the knights-companions, to inform them of their election. The king at arms performed his message punctually; and the two lords received the collars with pleasure, giving him for his trouble such rich presents as satisfied him.