When Friar Thomas arrived at his lodgings, he retired to a private chamber, and would not be visited by any but those of the family, except for a few moments. At the conclusion of his sermons, he earnestly admonished the audience on the damnation of their souls, and, on pain of excommunication, to bring to him whatever backgammon boards, chess boards, ninepins, or other instruments for games of amusement they might possess. In like manner did he order the women to bring their hennins,--and having caused a great fire to be lighted in front of his scaffold, he threw all those things into it. Friar Thomas remained in these parts for the space of six months, and visited many great cities, such as Cambray, Tournay, Arras, Amiens and Therouenne, wherein he made many celebrated sermons, to the delight of the lower ranks, who sometimes assembled to hear him, to the number of from sixteen to twenty thousand persons. At his sermons, he divided the women from the men by a cord; for he said he had observed some sly doings between them while he was preaching. He would not receive any money himself, nor permit any of the preachers who attended him to do so, but was satisfied if presents were made to him of rich church ornaments, if his disciples were clothed and his own expenses paid. The people were very happy in thus gratifying him. Many persons of note, in the conviction that to serve him would be a pious act, believing him to be a prudent and holy man, followed him every where, deserting their parents, wives, children and homes. In this number was the lord d'Antoing, and some others of the nobility. When he had remained any time, without the clergy attempting to confute his reasonings, he departed with the love of the people, but with the indignation of some churchmen. He embarked at the port of St Valery, to return to Brittany, where he had been born. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 17: _Au hennin._ This was the name given by the preacher to those ridiculous colossal head dresses worn by the ladies in the 15th century. For further particulars, see the French Encyclopedie, vol. viii.] CHAP. LV. A GRAND TOURNAMENT IN THE CITY OF BRUSSELS. At this period, the duke of Burgundy set out grandly accompanied by the nobles of his country, for Brussels, to be present at a tournament that was to be given there during the carnival. The son of the demoisel de Gazebeque was the founder of the prize. The duke of Burgundy was magnificently feasted by his cousin duke Philip of Brabant, the great barons of the country, and by the city of Brussels. On the day of the tournament, the two dukes were matched against each other, as well as their nobles, by the advice of prudent counsellors and heralds at arms, to avoid any accidents that might happen.