coming him so to hate. He was a prudent
knight, full of enterprise and wisdom. He had never any men of
abandoned character with him, reigned prudently, and was constant
in his devotions. There were regular nocturnals from the Psalter,
prayers from the rituals to the Virgin, to the Holy Ghost, and
from the burial service. He had every day distributed as alms, at
his gate, five florins in small coin, to all comers. He was liberal
and courteous in his gifts, and well knew how to take when it was
proper, and to give back where he had confidence. He mightily loved
dogs above all other animals, and during the summer and winter
amused himself much with hunting....

When he quitted his chamber at midnight for supper, twelve servants
bore each a lighted torch before him, which were placed near his
table, and gave a brilliant light to the apartment. The hall was
full of knights and squires, and there were plenty of tables laid
out for any person who chose to sup. No one spoke to him at his
table, unless he first began a conversation. He commonly ate
heartily of poultry, but only the wings and thighs; for in the
daytime, he neither ate nor drank much. He had great pleasure in
hearing minstrels; as he himself was a proficient in the science,
and made his secretaries sing songs, ballads, and roundelays. He
remained at table about two hours, and was pleased when fanciful
dishes were served up to him, which having seen, he immediately
sent them to the tables of his knights and squires.

In short, every thing considered, though I had before been in
several courts of kings, dukes, princes, counts, and noble ladies,
I was never at one that pleased me more, nor was I ever more
delighted with feats of arms, than at this of the Count de Foix.
There were knights and squires to be seen in every chamber, hall,
and court, going backwards and forwards, and conversing on arms and
amours. Every thing honorable was there to be found. All
intelligence from distant countries was there to be learnt, for the
gallantry of the count had brought visitors from all parts of the
world. It was there I was informed of the greater part of those
events which had happened in Spain, Portugal, Arragon, Navarre,
England, Scotland, and on the borders of Languedoc; for I saw,
during my resi