A solemn and important domestic _fête_ in the country was the first mass of a young priest. M. de Ribbe describes one of their mediæval village festivals. Presents were given, relations and friends assembled as for a marriage or christening. They walked to church two and two in a long procession, minstrels playing before them and crowds following. A collection was made in church and then there was a great banquet in the _bergerie_ to which the relations contributed various dishes, the cooking being done in a mill close by.[341]
On the opening of parliament it was customary to present quantities of roses and violets to the members, one special person being responsible. De Sauval mentions an account owing to Marguérite le Mercier, _marchande de roses_, for four dozen _chapeaux_ of red roses, eight bouquets of violets, and a great basinful of flowers to cover the table, distributed to the Presidents, Councillors, and other officers of the King, the vigil of the feast of Whitsuntide, who were assembled at the Chastelet for the deliverance of the prisoners in the said Chastelet “_comme d’anciennté a este coutume de faire_.”[342]
Renée de France was born October, 1509. Amidst the general disappointment at not getting a Dauphin, the King and Queen rejoiced that this child lived. She was afterwards the celebrated Duchess of Ferrara.
The Queen from this time entertained the project of leaving Bretagne to Renée, if she could not break off Claude’s marriage, and constantly endeavoured to gain the consent of the King; but, although, dreading the outcry which would be the consequence, he would not agree to her wishes, it seems very possible, considering her great influence over him, that had she lived longer she would have succeeded in carrying out one or other of these plans. During her lifetime she would never allow the marriage of Claude to take place.
Anne was extremely fond of music; amongst other musicians in her household were four Bretons minstrels. About six months after the birth of Renée, being at Chartres, she was so struck with the voice of a chorister boy in the cathedral that she asked the chapter to give him to her, and in return for their doing so she said, “You have given me a little voice and I will give you a large one,” and accordingly presented them with a great bell, named “Anne de Bretagne” to be rung every day from Easter to Trinity, and 3,000 livres.[343]