Tag: Historical fiction 17th century France Peasant life Filles du Roi (use both the French term and English variants) New France or colonial Quebec Women pioneers French colonization Historical women’s fi

Time Travel Tuesday

~ jeannemeeks ~ 2 Comments

The poorest of peasants in France in the 17th century did not have horses, mules, carts, and carriages. They traveled on foot and, by necessity, carried whatever they could–but only what they needed. They used baskets, wooded frames, cross-body satchels, fardes (like a hobo’s bindle,)  and sac à dos — literally, ‘bag for the back.’  … Continue reading Time Travel Tuesday

Friday Finds – Bats in my Belfry

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This little guy took  up residence in my patio umbrella, not my belfry, this morning. Fortunately, I’m not a superstitious French Peasant or my day would be doomed to misfortune.  Because bats flew at night and had eerie, leathery wings, the peasants of 1650 France linked them with witches, demons, and the Devil. The creatures … Continue reading Friday Finds – Bats in my Belfry

Throwback Thursday – Feast or Famine

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We are so spoiled! The amount of work that went into providing food for a peasant family in 1650 is daunting by today's standards. The typical seigneurial system in France granted 1-3 acres to a family to farm. A family of five would need two acres of rye to provide bread for a year. Their … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – Feast or Famine

Mystery Monday – A Peasant’s View of Life

~ jeannemeeks ~ 1 Comment

Peasants of 1650 in France had many mysteries in their lives. The most bewildering mysteries came from the ranks of the nobility and the royal class. Noble intrigues were more than court gossip and conspiracies. Peasant heard the rumors and saw them as mysteries of power. They spilled over into peasant life in very real … Continue reading Mystery Monday – A Peasant’s View of Life

Friday Finds

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Meet Sara Russell. She's a great find for research into my historical fiction novel. Sara knows a ton about the French voyageurs and life in New France.  I met Sara at a voyageurs re-enactment at Isle a la Cache in Romeoville, IL.  She is both an re-enactor and the interpretive naturalist for the Will County … Continue reading Friday Finds