Having said mass on this platform, he then preached long sermons, blaming the vices and sins of each individual, more especially those of the clergy, who publicly kept mistresses, to the breach of their vows of chastity. In like manner, he blamed greatly the noble ladies, and all others who dressed their heads in so ridiculous a manner, and who expended such large sums on the luxuries of apparel. He was so vehement against them that no woman thus dressed dared to appear in his presence, for he was accustomed, when he saw any of them with such dresses, to excite the little boys to torment and plague them, giving them certain days of pardon for so doing, and which he said he had the power of granting. He ordered the boys to shout after them, _Au hennin, au hennin!_[17] even when the ladies were departed from him and from hearing his invectives; and the boys pursuing them endeavoured to pull down these monstrous head dresses, so that the ladies were forced to seek shelter in places of safety. These cries caused many tumults between those who raised them and the servants of the ladies. Friar Thomas, nevertheless continued his abuse and invectives so loudly that no women with high head dresses any longer attended his sermons, but dressed in caps somewhat like those worn by peasants and people of low degree. The ladies of rank on their return from these sermons, were so much ashamed by the abusive expressions of the preacher, that the greater part laid aside their head dresses, and wore such as those of nuns. But this reform lasted not long, for like as snails, when any one passes by them, draw in their horns, and when all danger seems over, put them forth again,--so these ladies, shortly after the preacher had quitted their country, forgetful of his doctrine and abuse, began to resume their former colossal head dresses, and wore them even higher than before. Friar Thomas, however, acquired very great renown in the towns wherein he preached from all ranks of people, for the boldness and justness of his remonstrances, more especially for those addressed to the clergy. He was received wherever he went with as much respect and reverence by the nobles, clergy, and common people as if he had been an Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ, sent from Heaven to earth. He was followed by multitudes of people, and his mule was led by knights, or those of high rank, on foot to the house wherein he was to lodge, which was commonly that of the richest burgher in the town; and his disciples, of whom he had many, were distributed among the best houses; for it was esteemed a great favour when one of them lodged in the house of any individual.