During these times, some of the principal inhabitants of Bruges came to St Omer, as they were very anxious for their lord the duke of Burgundy, in whose good graces they were not thoroughly established, to come to their town; for although a reconciliation had indeed taken place, he had declared that he would never enter their town again unless he were conducted thither by a greater lord than himself. The bruges men therefore, humbly solicited the duke of Orleans that he would out of his grace, request the duke of Burgundy to go thither, and that he would be pleased to conduct him. The duke of Orleans granted their request,--and the duke of Burgundy having assented, they both made preparations for their journey to Bruges, where they were most joyfully received. The town of Bruges made such rich and grand preparations for the reception of the two dukes and duchesses that it exceeded all that had ever been done by them, and deserves a brief description. When the inhabitants of Bruges learnt that the two dukes were approaching the town, all the magistrates with their officers and servants, together with the deacons, constables, and others to the amount agreed on, issued out of the gates, and advanced to an inn beyond the boundaries of the town called The Three Kings. They might be upward of fourteen hundred in the whole, and were drawn up on an open spot to wait the coming of their lord. On seeing the duke of Burgundy advance by the side of the duke of Orleans they approached in good array with bare feet unhooded and ungirdled,--and throwing themselves on their knees, with uplifted hands, most humbly supplicated him in the presence of the two duchesses and the whole company, to forgive them their past offences, according to the tenour of the peace. The duke delayed some little to answer,--but, at the prayer of the duke of Orleans, he granted their request. This done, the magistrates presented him with the keys of all their gates, and then, rising up, retired aside to dress themselves. At this moment, processions from the different churches, as well as of the four mendicant orders of friars, monks, nuns and beguines, made their appearance, bearing their relics and dressed in their best copes. They were in great numbers, and, on hearing that their lord was now satisfied with them, chaunted forth lustily 'Te Deum laudamus,' &c. The greater part of them attended him to his hôtel.