Summary
Hygiene is a subject that comes up regularly when talking about historical anecdotes. It has even been said that dear Louis XIV would have taken only one bath in his entire life. Don't worry, that's totally wrong. And yet, King Louis XIV was a forerunner in the rise of the soap industry in France , accompanied by Colbert. I invite you to discover the role he played and the history of the soap.
The oldest peoples already used soap
It was important for me to tell you a few words about the history of soap. The soap industry is part of one of the oldest industries . It is mentioned in particular in ancient and sacred texts, in Greek and Latin. In ancient times, it was widely used:during excavations in Pompeii, this city in ruins following the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 BC. J-C, the researchers discovered the existence of a soap factory composed of 6 stone vats used to make detergents, a stove, as well as tools. Perfectly preserved soap has been found.
Among our ancestors the Gauls, soap was used to dye and straighten hair . It was then created with goat fat and white birch ash. He. It was not until the 8th century that animal fat gave way to olive oil, which would be decisive for its future. As you can see, soap was indeed part of the daily life of our peoples the oldest. So if Louis XIV and his court used it very little, it's not because it didn't exist yet!
Louis XIV and Colbert introduce soap making to France
You are probably thinking of a joke. And yet, the rise of soap in France is indeed due to our Dear Louis XIV , he who is reputed to have taken one and only bath in his life. But it played an important role in the history of soap in France.
The soap industry took off in Europe in the 17th century, which is why Colbert wanted to set it up in France. Soap making became widespread thanks to a small town in Italy called “Savona”. Several other Italian cities followed suit and even took credit for themselves. This very dear Colbert, who wants the best for his country, wishes to introduce this industry in France. But this introduction will not take place in any condition. It requires that allhired workers and products used be French , and that this industry moved to Toulon (the famous 100% made in France was already in fashion!).
Louis XIV will go in the direction of his minister by issuing a decree offering the monopoly of this industry to the manufacture of Sieur Pierre Rigat on March 11, 1666 , under the conditions claimed by Colbert. But this privilege raised anger and Rigat lost its privilege with a decree of October 10, 1669 . The industry will finally come to settle in a city benefiting from undeniably superior market conditions:Marseille ! (I see you behind your screen saying "aaaaah but yes the famous Savon de Marseille"!). And yes, the Marseille soap we all know was born that way.
The soap industry in Marseille is developing very well, despite strong Italian and Spanish competition. But this growth leaves room for a few problems, which all large industries are experiencing:fraud! Seeing this booming market, several companies have started creating soap. But as you can imagine, the quality was not there.
Louis XIV decided to act, and to regulate the manufacture of soap in the smallest details with the edict of October 5, 1688 . Here is a summary:
"The King having been informed that the poor quality of the soaps that are made in Provence, has considerably diminished the beginning, which was very large, and that the alteration that is made there for the weight and the defects that appear meet there, for the lack of care that we have to prepare the materials, could have given rise to foreigners to attract and establish this manufacture at home. What H. M. desiring to prevent, She has resolved, to remedy the abuses which have been introduced, to restore this factory to its perfection and orders the following:
– The manufactures of soap of any quality whatsoever, will cease entirely during the months of June, July and August of each year under penalty of confiscation of the soap.
– New oils cannot be used in this factory before the first month of each year, under penalty of confiscation of the goods.
– It is forbidden to use in the soap factory with the soda or ash barrel, any fat, butter or other materials, but only pure olive oils, without mixture of fat, penalty of confiscation
Art. 13:The communities of the towns of Provence, where there are soap factories, will appoint each year two of the principal merchants and heard in this matter to watch over the said towns and in the extent of their territory for the entire execution of the above articles, and when they find manufacturers or merchants who have contravened, they will denounce them to the ordinary judges to be punished according to the requirement of the case. »
The use of soap under Louis XIV
Now that you know the important role played by Louis XIV and his sidekick Jean-Baptiste Colbert, I guess you are asking yourself the same question as me:why do we say that at that time they did not wash? ?
At the time of the Sun King, the notion of hygiene was absolutely not the same as today, nor that of the Middle Ages. In medieval times, we had to be clean to show that we were “high”! In the 17th century, habits changed. We were not afraid of soap, but of water . We thought that serious diseases like the plague were transmitted with clear water. It was therefore not a question of washing, but rather of looking clean and neat, out of respect for those around you.
So how did we do it? Well, the dry toilet was in order but only on visible parts such as the face, hands, feet and décolleté for women. We changed very often, as soon as we were sweating and above all, we wore a lot of perfume .
So what was the mass-produced soap used for in Provence? As you will have understood, it was not used at all for the toilet... It was used mainly to clean the linen .
There are a lot of habits from back then that we are particularly glad to have abandoned, and I think the lack of hygiene is one of them. We can now enjoy wonderful soaps made in France, with quality products. This is particularly the case for Senteurs de France . I discovered this brand and I literally fell in love. We find 100% Made in France soaps with the scent of Grasse and enriched with organic shea butter. Senteurs de France is also sweets and candles. Do not hesitate to discover its range of quality products.
Sources:
– Gallica
– Lieutier, Léon Louis Paul Marie:Marseille soap and the substances used in its manufacture
– Pharmacy thesis of Paris, 1869.
– Universal dictionary of justice, police and finance – second volume – https://books.google.fr/