A large procession of men on horseback conducted her {288}into the city.' These consisted of, first, the Duke of Gloucester with five hundred attendants, all wearing his badge and livery; then the mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs in blue gowns with embroidered sleeves and red hoods. Next came the queen's carriage, surrounded by her suite, and a long train of followers brought up the rear. The coronation took place at Westminster two days later with great splendor, though the king's treasury was almost empty. No doubt all this display was very gratifying to King René's faithful steward, squire, and minstrels, who came to England to witness the reception of their princess, then went back home to tell all about it. A few weeks after the coronation an embassy arrived with congratulations to Henry VI. from the King of France, and René, Margaret's father. Henry received them seated in a large chair of state covered with blue tapestry. His long robe of scarlet velvet with gold embroidery swept the floor. When the ambassadors made their speech, wishing him the blessings of peace and prosperity, he raised his hat and said, several times: "St. John, thanks; great thanks to St. John!" They then inquired after the health of the young queen, and expressed a hope that the peace then existing between France and England would last forever. Henry replied: "That he desired the continuance of peace beyond anything on earth;" to which all who were present answered, "Amen!" For the first two years after Margaret's marriage, Cardinal Beaufort was her chief adviser, and she became so fond of him that she would often make visits at his house in Waltham Forest, where there was a room magnificently fitted up for her special use with hangings of spun gold from Damascus. Henry was attached to the good cardinal also, and was always glad to be guided by his advice. He was of the greatest assistance to the young couple on several {289}occasions, for his immense wealth enabled him to help them out of many a debt that they could not otherwise have paid. At this time Margaret was a woman of unusual intellect and grace of manners. One of the chroniclers of her reign says of her: "England had never seen a queen more worthy of a throne than Margaret of Anjou. No woman surpassed her in beauty, and few men equalled her in courage. It seemed as if she had been formed by Heaven to supply to her royal husband the qualities which he required in order to become a great king."