When François de la Rochefoucauld, and his brother Alexandre visited Suffolk in 1784, the events which were to lead to the French Revolution in 1789 were already in train. François' father, the duc de Liancourt, Grand Master of the Wardrobe at Louis XVI's court, was well placed to appreciate the dangers of the situation in France, and it must have been with anxious hopefulness that he sent his sons (François was then 18) to England for a year to appreciate the ordering of these things in a country which had experienced a revolution over a century earlier. Such reflections are never far below the surface of this otherwise cheerful book, which gives a vivid picture of English provincial life in a good year. François' observations range over such diverse subjects as English customs and manners and methods of agriculture and stockbreeding, and include a lively account of a general election. The spirited translation is complemented by numerous illustrations.
 Trade In this Item for up to £0.25
Trade in A Frenchman's Year in Suffolk, 1784 (Suffolk Records Society) for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £0.25, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Learn more
|
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
`Whether discussing town-planning in Norwich, local government, or improved agricultural practices, Rochefoucauld is always interesting, and it is a pleasure to have his acute observations of English life in the 1780s in such a richly illustrated and splendidly edited volume.' J.V. BECKETT,University of Nottingham. EHR April 1992. 'A fascinating account of provincial life and manners.' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
About the Author
Norman Scarfe, the well-known historian of Suffolk and beyond, provides a spirited translation of François' journal; it is complemented by numerous illustrations.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Surely this book is one of the earliest travel guides; Rochefoucauld's piercing glance strips off any gloss the ancient county of Suffolk might wish to present to strangers to reveal what was really going on in 1784, just 3 years after the 1st Marquis Cornwallis of Culford Hall had so famously 'lost America for England'. Rochefoucauld is no respecter of class either; the person laying the table for his supper gets it in the neck just as often as the lord of the manor. This is a gem of a book for anyone interested in Suffolk, which even today has many surprises hidden in the folds of its gentle landscape.
By Greensleeves
Format:Hardcover
I first came across this book over 40 years ago and was astounded to find that it was still available through Amazon, albeit in a later edition. I am thrilled to have a copy - it is a fascinating insight into the life in and around Bury St Edmunds in the late 18th century from the viewpoint of a young French traveller. His comments regarding manners and acceptable behaviour amongst his contacts in Suffolk society are most entertaining.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
