In the news1781
Abolition of Serfdom Controls in 1781
In 1781, Emperor Joseph II issued the Serfdom Patent, granting peasants the legal right to marry, move, and seek education without lordly permission.
Modena, 14 Jul 1782 – Altmünster, 1 Jun 1863
10 facts3 sources
14 Jul 1782
Born in Modena
1861
Member of the House of Lords (Austria)
1863–1894
Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights
1 Jun 1863
Dies in Altmünster, aged 80
He lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Modena.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1781
In 1781, Emperor Joseph II issued the Serfdom Patent, granting peasants the legal right to marry, move, and seek education without lordly permission.
What people wore
Everyday dress for peasant men
Peasant men typically dressed in coarse-fabric jackets, knee-length breeches, and waistcoats. While these garments were not refined in cut, there was a noticeable attention to detail and a sense of good taste in the pairing of colors.
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.
In Europe · 1789–1799The French Revolution. Parisians stormed the Bastille in 1789; the monarchy fell, the king was executed, and “liberty, equality, fraternity” spread across Europe.
In the news1785
In 1785, the Emperor decreed that every community must have a state-certified midwife and doctor to prevent epidemics.
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.