The Storming of the Bastille (French: Prise de la Bastille [pʁiz də la bastij]) occurred in Paris, France, on the afternoon of 14 July 1789. The medieval fortress, armory, and political prison in Paris known as the Bastillerepresented royal authority in the centre of Paris. The prison contained just seven inmates at the time of its storming, but was seen by the revolutionaries as a symbol of the monarchy's abuses of power; its fall was the flashpoint of the French Revolution.
Normally celebrated on July 14, but they are having a second celebration today, evidently. The first storming was in 1789. The prison is used for political prisoners (read debtors prison). Dunno what is left, a museum I think. But the original was built in the 1300s by some king, the original borrower of constant resort.
Well, they still got France, they still have the borrower of constant resort, and they still storm the place when the interest payments are due.
Medieval Europe
During Europe's Middle Ages, debtors, both men and women, were locked up together in a single, large cell until their families paid their debt.[9] Debt prisoners often died of diseases contracted from other debt prisoners. Conditions included starvation and abuse from other prisoners. If the father of a family was imprisoned for debt, the family business often suffered while the mother and children fell into poverty. Unable to pay the debt, the father often remained in debtors' prison for many years. Some debt prisoners were released to become serfs or indentured servants (debt bondage) until they paid off their debt in labor.
No comments:
Post a Comment