The king of France left Moncalvo on the 7th of October; and on his arrival at Casal, he was received with all demonstrations of joy, and conducted to the castle, where his lodgings had been prepared. At the gate of the castle was the marchioness of Montferrat, richly dressed, with her son, who having humbly saluted the king, and not knowing the french language perfectly well, the count de Foix and the lord Louis made their harangue, which was in substance what the lady had before said,--and that they placed all their possessions, without exception, under his protection,--that now they gave him possession of the town and castle of Casal, with all other their strong places. The king benignantly accepted of the trust, and entered the castle of Casal to the sound of trumpets and horns. The lady feasted the king and his company most plentifully with all sorts of meats, wines and hypocras, so that nothing could have been better. On the morrow, the king presented the young marquis with new and rich dresses, in the french fashion, demonstrating, by his liberality, that he received him under his protection,--and he remained three days in this town. On Friday, at sunrise, the king departed from Casal, to dine at Consse, and sup at Mortare, where he was well received, lodged in the castle, and handsomely feasted. The next day he went to take up his quarters in the town of Vigeue[126], and was triumphantly received there by Ludovico Sforza and his lady, with other lords of that county. After the usual ceremonies were over, and they had discoursed sufficiently, he was conducted to his apartments in the castle, which was pleasantly situated, and himself and his company were well entertained. On Monday, the 23d of October, the king went to see the Granges, half a league from Vige-vano. These Granges belong to the lord of Milan, are beautifully situated, and hold immense quantities of corn and cattle, and are the place of receipt for all rents due to him in kind. In the first, there is a spacious court of stables, the roof of which is supported on handsome columns, for stallions of great value, and adjoining were others for mares and colts. At this time, in other stables were full eighteen hundred horned cattle,--such as fat oxen, cows, and buffaloes. In the sheep-folds, were about fourteen thousand sheep and goats. In short, it was a place excellently contrived, and of great value. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 126: Vigeue. Q. Vige-vano?] CHAP. XLVI. THE KING OF FRANCE ENTERS PAVIA.--HIS RECEPTION THERE.