On Wednesday July 3rd in the year 1315, King Louis X of France– also know as “Louis the Headstrong”– issued a groundbreaking edict.
“Whereas, according to natural right, everyone should be born free. . .” he began. “Many persons amongst our common people have fallen into the bonds of slavery, which much displeaseth us.”
“Our Kingdom is called and named the Kingdom of the Franks [which means ‘free’ in old French]. . . therefore I do decree that such serfdom be redeemed to freedom.”
And like that, with the stroke of a quill, Louis X abolished slavery and serfdom in France.
Unfortunately for the serfs, the King’s emancipation didn’t last very long; Louis died less than a year later following a particularly grueling tennis match (true story), and his successors weren’t so liberal.
Continue reading “About that coming “food crisis””
