Who were Les Filles du Roi?
Before the king's daughters, were known as the king's daughter they were just single and widowed women in France. These women in France were sent across the ocean to the French Colony also known as Nouvelle-France. There were roughly 770 women that arrived between 1663 to 1673. These women were usually between ages 12-30 years old. They left their homes to populate Nouvelle-France ( which is now part of Québec). The ratio of men to women in Nouvelle-France was 6:1, so Jean Talon, the first Intendant of Nouvelle-France suggested to King Louis XIV that he should enlist young French country girls to sail over to New France and marry the settlers in the colony.
These women were awarded with 50 French livres, as well they were provided all the necessary travel expenses. Because the king paid for all this, the women became known as Les Filles Du Roi. Potential filles du roi were often found in orphanages by French recruiters. At this time 50 livres was a large amount of money because compared that to a surgeon at the time, a surgeon would have had to work one year to earn 100 livres.
Once Les Filles du Roi got married, the couple would recieve 2 chickens, 2 pigs, an ox, a cow and more necessities.
These women were awarded with 50 French livres, as well they were provided all the necessary travel expenses. Because the king paid for all this, the women became known as Les Filles Du Roi. Potential filles du roi were often found in orphanages by French recruiters. At this time 50 livres was a large amount of money because compared that to a surgeon at the time, a surgeon would have had to work one year to earn 100 livres.
Once Les Filles du Roi got married, the couple would recieve 2 chickens, 2 pigs, an ox, a cow and more necessities.
The youngest daughter of the King
Madeleine Raclos was one of the youngest Les Filles du Roi. At age 13 she arrived in Nouvelle France along with her two sisters,François and Marie. Madeleine Raclos married Nicolas Perrot in 1671 and had eleven children between the years of 1672 and 1690. Madeleine raised all eleven children by herself since her husband spent most of his time in the Great Lakes region until 1698. On August 13, 1717 in Bécancour, Québec, Canada Nicolas Perrot died. After his death, Madeleine became depressed and required care and financial support from her children. She died on July 8, 1724 in Trois- Rivéres, Québec.