presented the Duke of Burgundy
with a ring of gold, worth 335 florins; an aguiere of gold and pearls,
valued at 1,000 florins, and two tables each over 200 florins. Richer
gifts were lavished on sovereign princes. Reliquaries were of prodigious
value; the gold cross containing a piece of the true cross at the
Celestins weighed fifteen pounds. In 1375 a silver arm for the image of
St. Andrew cost over 2,566 florins.
The cardinals were equally munificent. The most striking example of lavish
splendor is afforded by the State banquet given to Clement V., by the
Cardinals Arnaud de Palegrue and Pierre Taillefer in May, 1308. Clement,
as he descended from his litter, was received by his hosts and twenty
chaplains, who conducted him to a chamber hung with richest tapestries
from floor to ceiling; he trod on velvet carpet of triple pile; his state-
bed was draped with fine crimson velvet, lined with white ermine; the
sheets of silk were embroidered with silver and gold.
The table was served by four papal knights and twelve squires, who each
received silver girdles and purses filled with gold from the hosts.
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