In the news1804
Catastrophic mortality in Madrid in 1804
In 1804, a severe economic and demographic crisis caused the death of more than 11,300 people in Madrid, doubling the previous year's mortality rate.
Portici, 24 Oct 1804 – Palace of the Infanta Carlota, 29 Jan 1844
10 facts1 source
24 Oct 1804
Born in Portici
1819
Member of the Board of Ladies of Honour and Merit
1822–1833
2 children are born
29 Jan 1844
Dies in Palace of the Infanta Carlota, aged 39
She lived through 5 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Portici.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1804
In 1804, a severe economic and demographic crisis caused the death of more than 11,300 people in Madrid, doubling the previous year's mortality rate.
What people wore
Cost of wedding attire
A wedding dress for an ordinary person usually cost up to 30 ducats, though wealthy families could spend up to 300 ducats on garments with gold and silver fabrics.
Getting around
The Lettiga: A Mule-Drawn Carriage
The lettiga, a national carriage suspended between two mules, was a common way to travel through regions lacking roads suitable for wheeled vehicles. It was notoriously fatiguing and slow, moving at an average speed of about three miles per hour.
In Europe · 1803–1815The Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon’s armies redrew the map of Europe from Spain to Moscow; his invasion of Portugal sent its court to Rio de Janeiro.
In the news1808–1814
The Spanish War of Independence began in 1808, leading to massive destruction and an estimated death toll of up to 500,000 people.
Music
Music during religious festival processions
Religious processions often featured musicians, including porters who danced while carrying heavy barrels of wine on their shoulders to the sound of a distant orchestra.
Daily life
Gender-restricted education controlled by the Church
There was no compulsory schooling, and education was heavily influenced by the Church, with 30 articles regulating male education versus only 22 for females. While boys could study reading, writing, and arithmetic, girls' education was largely restricted to domestic arts, catechism, and religious duties.