In the news1648–1653
The Fronde Civil Wars (1648–1653)
The Fronde, a series of civil wars between 1648 and 1653, led to food scarcity, high taxes, and fighting that caused the king to flee the capital.
Aug 1656 – 16 Jul 1748
6 facts1 source
Aug 1656
Born
6 May 1688
A daughter is born
16 Jul 1748
Dies
She lived through 10 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1648–1653
The Fronde, a series of civil wars between 1648 and 1653, led to food scarcity, high taxes, and fighting that caused the king to flee the capital.
Getting around
Traveling on foot was common for many
Ordinary people, such as peddlers and pilgrims, typically traveled on foot, covering 20 to 30 kilometers a day and wearing out a pair of shoes every 15 days.
In the news1656
In 1656, a royal edict established the Hopital General in Paris, forcing over six thousand beggars into labor as part of a policy to clear the streets.
Daily life
Water meant trips to sources
In Paris, water was commonly hauled or bought, and shared stairwells/courtyards were practical places for water carrying, storage, and laundry.
What people wore
Sunday best for villagers
Ordinary villagers often wore the same daily clothes, while the wealthier among them changed into better garments specifically for Sundays and feast days.
Music
Street music and peasant dances
Street singers adapted popular court and opera melodies for public performance, while rural peasants often danced to the pipe and tabor during Sunday rest. Officials sometimes defended these peasant dances as innocent amusement after a week of hard labor.
At the table
Meat and Drink Habits of Families
Ordinary families rarely ate fresh meat and instead relied on salted pork to flavor their vegetable soups. Drinking water was often considered unsafe, so people frequently consumed piquette, a thin beverage made from the remnants of grapes or fruit, or local cider.