From the tenth century up to the end of the fifteenth century the extraordinary _Fête des Fous_ was celebrated in Notre Dame. One of the cathedral employés was elected _Evêque des Fous_, and, wearing the actual vestments used in religious services, was honoured with a great banquet accompanied with grotesque dances and songs. This orgy took place in the church itself, and was so popular that it flourished in spite of the most determined efforts to suppress it. A similar custom was observed in La Sainte Chapelle. During the early years of the thirteenth century the Dominican order was established. St. Dominic himself preached once at least in Notre Dame. During his prayer before the sermon, the Virgin is said to have appeared to him in a cloud of light and to have given to him a book containing the subject-matter of his discourse. Raymond VII., Count of Toulouse, underwent the discipline of the lash for heresy before the door of the cathedral in 1229. This spot was for centuries occupied by a pillory. From 1220 onwards a series of disputes took place between the officials of the church and the university. During the long reign of St. Louis, which ended in 1271, the power of the bishop and chapter of Paris had increased enormously, and a host of vassals did homage to Bishop Etienne II. for their lands. The body of St. Louis was laid in state in Notre Dame previous to its burial at St. Denis. This custom was followed in the case of many other French monarchs and princes of the blood. On April 10th, 1302, Philippe-le-Bel held the first meeting of the States-general in the cathedral. In the month of June, 1389, Isabeau de Bavière made a solemn entry into Paris. Froissart tells us that: “Devant ladite église de Notre-Dame, en la place, l’évêque de Paris étoit revêtu des armes de Notre-Seigneur et tout le collège. Aussi on moult avoit grand clergé et la descendit la royne et la mirent hors de sa litière les quatre ducs qui là estoyent, Berry, Bourgogne, Touraine et Bourbon.... La royne de France fut adestrée et menée parmy l’église et le chœur jusqu’au grand autel et la se mit à genoux et fit ses oraisons ainsi que bon lui sembla, et bailla et offrit à la trésorerie de Notre-Dame quatre draps d’or et la belle couronne que les anges lui avoient posée sur la porte de Paris.” A great thanksgiving service was held when Charles VI. had been saved from burning. The King, it may be recalled, was dressed as a satyr at a palace fête with five companions. The Duke of Orleans was curious as to the identity of the disguised, and approached them with a torch, which accidentally set their clothing alight. The King was saved by the Duchess de Berri, who threw a cloak over him, but four of his companions were burned to death.