V. "THE PAST IS ANOTHER COUNTRY:" TAKE PRE-INDUSTRIAL FRANCE

WE ASSUME THAT PRE-INDUSTRIAL PEOPLE
 THOUGHT AS WE DO 

But their different economies meant that their societies
worked differently.
Comparisons help make out the broad outlines
of values, behavior and change where 
tangible needs make priorities the same.

That's the reason for applying the study of Africa
to paradoxes in France. 

*     *     *

 Next, 
V.1. 
Enigmas, often clues 

V. 1. ENIGMAS, OFTEN CLUES

5.1. Enigmas often clues

JOAN OF ARC WEARS A GOLD ROBE OVER HER ARMOR,
WHICH LETS HER BE PULLED OFF HER HORSE AND CAPTURED 
(In 1430)

• Take the "households" of several hundred cradle-rockers, doctors, priests (...) set up for each prince and princess at birth. So rooted was the custom that rather than cut down on the households of his four last daughters, Louis XV had them raised in a convent.

Liveries.  Royalist forces.

So practices meant to reinforce the status quo
maintain their hold.

What look like incongruities 
reveal how societies work
and let us understand what's happening 

Anonymous, Historical Society of Compiègne

•  Growth and the "Wars of Religion"

• "Absolute Monarchy," the ultimate obstacle to growth

• Louis XIV, anti-capitalist

End of this short chapter 

*      *      *

Next chapter,
V. 2.
Growth and the "Wars of Religion"