“And that is the reason why I commence my memoirs about him and his deeds[9] [continues La Marche, on concluding his description of the tournament], and I do not speak from hearsay and rumour.  As one who has been brought up with him from his youth in his father’s service and in his own, I will touch upon his education, his morals, his character, and his habits from the moment when I first saw him as appears above in my memoirs.

“As to his character, I will commence at the worst features.  He was hot, active, and impetuous:  as a child he was very eager to have his own way.  Nevertheless, he had so much understanding and good sense that he resisted his inclinations and in his youth no one could be found sweeter or more courteous than he.  He did not take the name of God or the saints in vain, and held God in great fear and reverence.  He learned well and had a retentive memory.  He was fond of reading and of hearing read the stories of Lancelot and Gawain, but to both he preferred the sea and boats.  Falconry, too, he loved and he hunted whenever he had leave.  In archery he early excelled his comrades and was good at other sports.  Thus was the count educated, trained, and taught, and thus did he devote himself to good and excellent exercise.”

That the report of the lavishness and extravagance of the Burgundian court was no idle rumour, exaggerated by frequent repetitions, is attested to by every bit of contemporary evidence.  Enthusiastic and loyal chroniclers dwell on the magnificence, and the arid details of bills paid show what it cost to attain the vaunted perfection, while the protests from taxpayers prove that this splendour did not grow like the lilies of the field.

[Illustration:  FRONTISPIECE OF AN ACCOUNT-BOOK XVTH CENTURY]

Philip’s treasury had many separate compartments.  There were many quarters to which he could turn for his needed supplies, but there were times when his exchequer ran very threateningly low, and his financial stress led him to be very conciliatory towards the burghers with full purses.

In 1445, Ghent had been honoured by the celebration of the feast of the Order of the Golden Fleece within her gates.  Two years later, Philip appeared in person at a meeting of the collace, or municipal assembly, and delivered a harangue to the Ghentish magistrates and burghers, flattering them, moreover, by using their vernacular.  The tenor of this speech was as follows[10]: 

“My good and faithful friends, you know how I have been brought up among you from my infancy.  That is why I have always loved you more than the inhabitants of all my other cities, and I have proved this by acceding to all your requests.  I believe then that I am justified in hoping that you will not abandon me to-day when I have need of your support.  Doubtless you are not ignorant of the condition of my father’s treasury at the period of his