In the news1545–1552
Plague epidemics devastate the region
Between 1545 and 1552, plague outbreaks caused extreme hardship, leading to deserted towns and citizens walling up infected homes.
Nancy, 19 Sep 1558 – Nuremberg, 19 Feb 1602
9 facts3 sources
19 Sep 1558
Born in Nancy
1582–1589
Governor of Brittany
Nov 1592
A daughter is born
19 Feb 1602
Dies in Nuremberg, aged 43
He lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Nancy.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1545–1552
Between 1545 and 1552, plague outbreaks caused extreme hardship, leading to deserted towns and citizens walling up infected homes.
Getting around
Royal travel took weeks to complete
A royal court journey from Paris to Chambord could take three weeks because the procession included thousands of people, animals, and entire households.
In the news1555
The 1555 Peace of Augsburg established the legal principle that local princes could determine the religion of their subjects as either Lutheran or Catholic. If subjects disagreed with their ruler's choice, they were granted the right to emigrate with their property and families.
Daily life
Segregated elementary schooling
While private tutors served noble families, elementary schools for others were church-run and segregated by gender; a 1554 decree specifically prohibited boys and girls from studying together.
What people wore
Servant girl's market clothing
A servant girl in Paris in 1586 wore a bonnet covered with a long cloth hood and a bodice that was laced at the front and trimmed with black velvet.
Music
Instruments classified by volume
In the 16th century, instruments were classified by volume: loud instruments like oboes, trumpets, and sackbuts were for outdoor festivals, while quiet instruments like lutes, viols, and spinets were for intimate indoor use.
At the table
Regulated prices for bread and wine
In 1550, the price of food in Valence was officially regulated, with white bread costing 7 mailles per pound and black bread costing 5 mailles per pound. Wine was also a daily drink, with local black or red wine priced at 6 deniers per pot.