Monday, March 3, 2014

Louis XIV RAFT C

Dear King Louis XIV,

I am immensely blessed to have been welcomed into your beloved Versailles. I am one of the only peasants to have been granted a tour of Versailles. When I first walked in, I was flabbergasted at the sight of the finest paintings and statues, glittering chandeliers and mirrors displayed in the halls and salons. I couldn't believe that it used to be a royal hunting lodge. As we were guided to the royal gardens, I was blown away by the millions of flowers, plants, trees, and fountains that were set out in precise geometric patterns. Although I was astounded by the beauty of Versailles, I couldn't help but think that the money wasted on this palace could have been used more wisely on more important issues for the better of France. While you are having elaborate ceremonies to emphasize your own importance, your people are dying of hunger. There is no food left, there are barely any citizens left because of the depopulation, there are no jobs and everyone is getting laid off, and the economy is desperately struggling. Instead of crushing Frances economy, you should be helping it and strengthening it. I just believe that there are better places where the money and focus of France should be directed to.

Please don't kill me,
French Peasant

Sunday, March 2, 2014

A Day in the Life...

London, 27 March 1667

This blog post represents how I might have spent a day in the life as a common folk in 17th century London.

Today, on my way to work, I stepped in animal feces twice and tumbled over the carcass of a dead dog once. My water carrier is late today and I think that I have a disease just from washing myself. The water tasted even more foul than it usually does today.

Dinner is at midday today and it is going to be delicious. I didn't even have breakfast today so I am very hungry. We are having fish and meat and sweet pies for dinner today with sweet meats and fruit for dessert and weak beer for our drinks.

Today I am wearing a wig and a three-piece suit. My wig had nits and lice in it when I first got it but then I cleaned it. My eyebrows are unfashionable so I replace them with little bits of mouse skin. Also, I really smell bad today.

Today I went to see a nice execution. Since I was in that type of mood, after that, I went to go see a bear-baiting on the south bank. Next I went to this new thing called a coffee-house just to see what it was and try it out. It was pretty good. Then, I enjoyed a nice walk in the royal parks and while I was near there, I took a boat ride up the river. Lastly, I went to another new thing that was opened called a theatre and watched an actress for the first time. Today was just an average day.



Picard, Lisa. "Sex, Lice, and Chamber Pots in Pepys' London." 17 February 2011. British Broadcasting Company. http://tinyurl.com/LondonDayintheLife

"Bear-Baiting." Shakespeare's England. http://www.shakespearesengland.co.uk/2009/11/17/drunken-cocks-bear-baiting/