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Margherita Gonzaga, Duchess of Lorraine

Mantua, 2 Oct 1591 – Nancy, 6 Feb 1632

10 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 2 Oct 1591

    Born in Mantua

  2. 6 Oct 1612

    A daughter is born

  3. 6 Feb 1632

    Dies in Nancy, aged 40

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 1

During her lifetime

She lived through 5 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Mantua.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1590s · Margherita is born in Mantua

In the news1562–1592

Recurring subsistence crises

During the wars, periodic subsistence crises occurred in 1562–1563, 1565–1566, 1573–1574, 1586–1587, and 1590–1592, causing high prices and food shortages.

Getting around

Travel was primarily on foot

For the vast majority of people in the Duchy of Savoy, traveling meant going on foot, as they lacked the means for other forms of transport.

In the news1598

Edict of Nantes signed

The Edict of Nantes was issued in 1598, marking the end of the religious wars and granting limited rights to Huguenots.

Daily life

Languages used in everyday life

Franco-Provencal was the language of everyday activities and family life for most people, while French was used by the highest classes.

What people wore

Artisans Kept Festive Clothes in Chests

Artisan families often owned a modest wardrobe, such as two or three sets of clothes kept in chests, including fine garments reserved for Sundays and festive occasions.

Music

The Popular Pavane Dance

The solemn, slow-moving pavane was a popular dance used by nobles for grand entries and festivities, often accompanied by drums, oboes, trombones, and violins.

At the table

Preference for fermented drinks

Because water was considered unhealthy, common people preferred drinking wine, beer, or cider.