It was noticed that when Clement entered the city on October 24, none of the common folk responded to the shouts of his attendants, _Viva Papa Clemente_! The Pope and his Court, too, were in mourning.

They had but recently escaped from the horrors of the Sack of Rome, and were under a vow to wear their beards unshorn in memory of their past sufferings.

Yet the municipality and nobles of Bologna exerted their utmost in these bad times to render the reception of the Emperor worthy of the luster which his residence and coronation would confer upon them.

Gallant guests began to flock into the city.

Among these may be mentioned the brilliant Isabella d'Este, sister of Duke Alfonso, and mother of the reigning Marquis of Mantua.