Question

What were the sumptuary laws in France?

Answer 1

From 1294 to the time of the French Revolution in 1789, the people of France were expected to strictly follow the sumptuary laws. These rules tried to regulate the lifestyles of the lower classes by regulating the amount and type of clothes they bought. The laws tried to control:

• the behavior of those considered socially inferior
• preventing them from wearing certain clothes
• consuming certain foods and beverages
• hunting game in certain areas.