MAHAUT, COUNTESS OF ARTOIS 



in Artois, but superintended by the Countess 

 herself, was made to the poor of blankets, 

 garments, and shoes, and so arranged that the 

 same person did not receive the like gift two 

 years in succession. In truth, no details seemed 

 too small, none too onerous, for Mahaut's un- 

 tiring solicitude. She had heart and brain for 

 everything. It is these intimate touches which 

 make the time so living and present to us, and 

 which seem, as it were, to place this wonderful 

 woman in a charmed and tranquil circle, in spite 

 of the trouble and turmoil incidental to her life 

 and her position. 



Amongst Mahaut's many good works was 

 the keeping in repair of existing religious houses, 

 hospitals, and lazar-houses, and the building and 

 maintenance of new ones. Of all the religious 

 houses which she founded, her special care was 

 for the Dominican convent of La Thieuloye, 

 near Arras, the equipment of which, as set out 

 in the accounts, may well serve as an example of 

 that of the others. The items for the furnish- 

 ing and instalment of the house and chapel 

 include everything needful for the community, 

 from gold and silver vessels, silver-gilt images of 

 St. Louis, the Trinity, and St. John, for the 

 sanctuary, and samite and velvet for chasubles, 

 down to the bowls and platters for the nuns, 

 the woollen material for their garments, and all 

 the simple necessaries of everyday life. In the 

 chapel of this nunnery was preserved a kneeling 

 statue of Mahaut, representing her as foundress, 



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