General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
The 1790s · Prince is born in Naples
In the news1796
French Invasion and Republics (1796)
French armies invaded Italy in 1796, initiating the era of the Italian Republics and ending the old order of the Settecento. This brought new political systems and constitutions that transformed the map of the peninsula.
Getting around
Extra animals for steep terrain
Travelers often needed extra horses or mules to navigate steep or sandy mountain terrain, paying extra fees for these additional animals.
At the table
Simple and Shared Meals
Families practiced extreme modesty and sobriety, with husband and wife often eating from the same dish and drinking from the same cup. Their basic diet was primarily composed of bread, fruit, jam, and herbs.
In Europe · 1789–1799
The French Revolution. Parisians stormed the Bastille in 1789; the monarchy fell, the king was executed, and “liberty, equality, fraternity” spread across Europe.
Unidentified painter · public domain
What people wore
Coral jewelry for festive occasions
On feast days, ordinary women often adorned themselves with coral jewelry, which was meticulously categorized into fourteen different shades, ranging from blood-red to black. This industry was so significant that it drew the interest of foreign travelers who observed the detailed production process in Livorno.
Music
Pergolesi's Stabat Mater tradition
During Lent in Florence, a popular and recurring musical event was the performance of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, which became a hallowed tradition.
Daily life
Schools and Student Life
State-run schools for girls taught reading, writing, arithmetic, and textile work, with deserving students eligible for a substantial dowry of 140 scudi after eight years. Pupils were required to maintain absolute silence and were corrected with zeal and charity if they showed negligence or inappropriate behavior.