On the morrow, after we had heard mass, we set forth and turned a little from our direct route to go visit Castello,[30] of which I have spoken in another place; but it chanced that, when we arrived there, the duke’s daughters, who were in residence, were just passing through the garden to hear mass, wherefore we were requested to wait a while, but this I was not disposed to do. On this road we met several processions. First came the banner, then the women, most of whom are very good-looking, and all wearing straw hats, which they make better here than anywhere else;[31] these moreover were very well clad for villagers, some wearing heeled shoes and some white slippers. After the women the priest walked, and after him the men. The day before we had met a procession of monks, almost every one of them wearing a straw hat. Our road led us through a plain very fair and wide, and here, in sooth, I was bound to admit that neither Orleans, nor Tours, nor even Paris, can boast of environs so richly set with villages and houses as Florence; which, with regard to fine houses and palaces, comes first without a doubt. Continuing our way, we came, after riding ten miles, to Prato in time for dinner. This small town, belonging to the Duke of Florence, is situated on the river Bisenzio, which we crossed by a stone bridge at the entry to the town. In no other country are the bridges so numerous or so well maintained; moreover, along the highways we frequently saw large stone pillars inscribed with notices as to what State was responsible for the repair of the roads. At Prato, in the palace, we saw the name and the arms of the Legate Du Prat,[32] who was, as they told us, a native of this place. Over the door of the palace is a large statue, crowned and holding an orb in the hand, and at the feet thereof is written _Rex Robertus_.[33] The people here affirm that the town once belonged to us, and, certes, the _fleurs de lys_ are everywhere to be seen, and the arms of the town are fleurs de lys _or_ on a field _gules_. The cathedral here is a fine one, and adorned with a quantity of black and white marble.