In January 1482, the residents of Paris wake up to the sound of church bells, ringing to begin the Feast of Fools, an annual carnival. Celebrations include a bonfire, a maypole dance, and a mystery play staged in the Palace of Justice. The play is popular, and rumors hold that the recently arrived Flemish ambassadors are in attendance. At the Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice), the crowd will elect a “Fool’s Pope.” The palace is packed with people, and the provosts (government officials) use force to maintain peace. The palace’s great hall is vast, lined with stained glass windows and statues. However, despite the building’s splendor, many of its luxurious adornments were destroyed in a fire. The play is being staged on a “rich slab of marble” (19) in the floor of a chapel in the palace.

The play is scheduled to start at midday, and the restless, eager crowds pour in, not including the Flemish ambassadors. From the high windowsills, students mock the attendees. One of these students is Jehan Frollo de Molendino, who shouts to his friends that he has been inside the palace since dawn. The crowd argues about politics and corruption.