CHAP. XXXIII.
THE DUCHESS OF BURGUNDY IS BROUGHT TO BED OF A SON IN THE TOWN OF GHENT.
On the 14th of April in this year, the duchess of Burgundy was brought to bed of a son in the town of Ghent. His godfathers were, the cardinal of Winchester, and the counts de St Pol and de Ligny, brothers,—and the countess de Meaux was the godmother. He was christened Josse, although neither of the godfathers bore that name, but it had been so ordered by the duke and duchess. They all presented very rich gifts to the child.
This year, the duke, with the consent of the estates, renewed the coin; and golden money was struck, called Riddes[8], of the value of twenty-four sols in silver coin called Virelans[9]. All the old money was called in at a fourth or fifth part of its value, and recoined. At this time, there were great quarrels between the towns of Brussels and Mechlin, insomuch that a severe war took place between them. In like manner, there was much dissention among the Ghent-men, so that several officers were banished from the town.