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Francis II, Duke of Lorraine

Nancy, 8 Mar 1572 – Badonviller, 14 Oct 1632

9 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 8 Mar 1572

    Born in Nancy

  2. 1609–1615

    2 children are born

  3. 14 Oct 1632

    Dies in Badonviller, aged 60

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 2

During his lifetime

He lived through 7 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.

The 1570s · Francis is born in Nancy

In the news1562–1598

French Wars of Religion begin

The French Wars of Religion broke out in 1562, leading to immense loss of life through violence, famine, and disease that lasted until 1598.

Getting around

Travel speeds and horse relays

Early public carriages were slow, covering only about 48 kilometers in a day. Wealthy travelers or officials could pay to use the royal horse relay system to travel at a much faster gallop.

In the news1572

St. Bartholomew's Day massacre

The St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, a violent event in Paris in 1572, resulted in significant deaths and intensified the religious conflicts.

Daily life

Tall and narrow city housing

Ordinary Paris houses were tall, narrow structures of four or five stories, built with stone foundations, exposed wooden frames, and white plaster facades to prevent fires.

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

Preference for fermented drinks

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