Marital Life and Family Structure Under the Ancien Régime in France: A Historical Analysis
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Family law, ancien regime, marriage, child rearing, french revolution, social norms, christianity, family dynamics, marital life, feminist movement
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Abstract
Discover the intricacies of family dynamics and social norms in 16th-19th century France. Explore how marital life, childrearing, and societal expectations were shaped by the Ancien Régime, the Church, and emerging feminist currents. Learn about the classification of irregular children, the role of children's courts, and the impact of the French Revolution on family structures and private law. Uncover the complex relationships between love, sexuality, and social class in rural France, and understand how these historical factors continue to influence contemporary family values. Dive into the world of historical family dynamics and gain valuable insights into the evolution of societal norms.
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[...] In the bourgeoisie, the child represents a social capital (one invests in their education and quality of life). The education of the child is deeply marked by Christian religion (modesty, piety + catechism). High infant mortality ? 1 child out of 3 dies before the age of 1 so early practice of baptism - Vulnerable childhood IV- The Church and its morality The Church regulates sexual relations (chastity and prohibition of homosexuality), education, marriage (prohibition of illegitimate unions + prohibition of divorce) etc. [...]
[...] « Nothing more beautiful than what pleases - Interests and encounters ? II- The institutions of marriage The celebration of marriage - The preparatory rituals ? To put to bed in all good honour ? night of preparation for marriage ? The trial marriage ? common life between the future spouses authorized by the parents to know if the woman was infertile or not. - The Promises ? Passing of object ? [...]
[...] man settled in his home / woman who has become legitimate - The role of the rural community ? neighborhood + evaluation of spouses - The perception of celibacy ? badly seen/ failure because not contributing to social reproduction Conclusion : Knowledge of rural conjugal life is rare because few sources. Exposé The disorder of families The Revolution and Private Law Order, "Revolutionary, new fathers? Of course, new fathers The revolutionary law of paternity" - Jacques Mulliez (1988) Lettre de cachet : Legal act/police decision by which the King of France could imprison individuals The letter of cachet, instrument of family discipline under the Ancien Régime Lettre de cachet: a 'discord of households' - Demands between spouses - Atteinte to honour and decency, especially concerning women and their debauchery Tranquillity of families: paternal power Between 1728 and 1758 ? [...]
[...] Rural Love in a Silent Rural World Rare direct sources - Many illiterate peasants - The story through the writings of letters - Legal and ecclesiastical archives - The registers allowing to count - Popular sources (proverbs, songs, tales) ? « Who marries a daughter of bad life, often suffers and rarely laughs ? « Marriage at night, sorrow by day The choice of spouses - Geographical boundaries ? endogamy - The difference of love according to the Church ? sacred and profane - Love under selection criteria ? beauty, virtue, chastity, obedience ? « A good face is always a good dowry ? [...]
[...] Lectures in Family Law Lecture Married Life under the Ancien Régime - François Lebrun (1975) Marital life = central element. François Lebrun (French historian and professor) Marital life structured by social differences Marriage: Assorted union that allowed to ensure the survival and stability of the home. Upper class (aristocrats and bourgeoisie): Marriage ? economy, social. Very important heritage for the transmission of goods, titles, and family name. The choice of spouse was chosen according to the compatibility of resources. However, individuals from the popular milieu had a greater freedom ? [...]
