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The Fugger Newsletters

Famine in France

The land this year has not been tilled in many places and people have been ruined to such an extent by the soldiery that they now perish from hunger and die. One who has seen this with his own eyes in many places, informs me that the people cut the unripe corn from the tilled fields and eat it. Altogether there is said to be great misery and poverty. About three thousand persons thus reduced to destitution came before the King at Fontainebleau, and followed His Majest so that he might cause bread to be distributed among them. Riots were feared here, for in recent days corn has become dearer by one half. Precautions were therefore taken and those who had corn stored away were compelled to bring part of it to the market. Thus it was brought to pass that what cost in the forenoon twenty-one and twenty-two was offered in the afternoon for seventeen. On the other hands it is reported that the rabble is again preparing to riot and that this time it is to be the turn of the parliament and other noble houses. Therefore it is intended to adopt measures to prevent these things from taking place. Unfortunately those who brought the corn to market are taking it away again. The opinion is held that this poverty and distress will induce the King to conclude a speedy peace with the Huguenots.

Questions

  1. Who was king at the time?
  2. Why is it bad that they cut the unripe corn and ate it?
  3. What do the Huguenots have to do with it?