In recompense for
this, Isabella--who herself was a member of the guild, and had even shot
down the bird, and been queen in 1615--made many presents to the
arbaletriers; and, in return, the grateful city, which had long wanted a
nearer road to St. Gudule, but been baffled by the noble archers, called
the street after her name. She, as a sort of indemnification to the
arbaletriers, caused a "great mansion" to be built for their
accommodation in the new Rue d'Isabelle. This mansion was placed in
front of their exercise-ground, and was of a square shape. On a remote
part of the walls, may still be read--
PHILLIPPO IIII. HISPAN. REGE. ISABELLA-CLARA-EUGENIA HISPAN.
INFANS. MAGNAE GULDAE REGINA GULDAE FRATRIBUS POSUIT.
In that mansion were held all the splendid feasts of the Grand Serment
des Arbaletriers. The master-archer lived there constantly, in order to
be ever at hand to render his services to the guild. The great saloon
was also used for the court balls and festivals, when the archers were
not admitted. The Infanta caused other and smaller houses to be built in
her new street, to serve as residences for her "garde noble;" and for her
"garde bourgeoise," a small habitation each, some of which still remain,
to remind us of English almshouses. The "great mansion," with its
quadrangular form; the spacious saloon--once used for the archducal
balls, where the dark, grave Spaniards mixed with the blond nobility of
Brabant and Flanders--now a schoolroom for Belgian girls; the cross-bow
men's archery-ground--all are there--the pensionnat of Madame Heger.
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