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The 17th
century was a time of expansion and discovery. The powerful
countries of Europe fought to carve the new world into
colonies that would provide fertile land and raw materials,
benefiting their homeland. There was a severe imbalance
between single men and women in New France.
In
order to strengthen France’s hold on the Quebec colony,
Louis XIV sponsored passage for over 700 young ladies to
immigrate to New France. Between the ages of 15 and 30,
young ladies of good moral caliber and sound health were
given passage, a trousseau and dowry to leave their families
and home and settle in the new world. Given the name “Les
Filles du Roi”, The King’s Daughters, these young ladies
traveled to New France to become wives and mothers. Two
thirds of all French Canadians can trace their ancestry back
to one or more filles du roi.
This
bracelet design, Les Filles du Roi is all about the
symbolism between the courageous young women who risked
their lives to answer the call from their king and the
dangers of crossing the ocean to a new life in New France.
A beautiful
cushion cut CZ takes center stage representing the expanse
of the ocean. The four straps of the CZ embellishment
s=denote the four winds: North, South, East and West. The
use of the SilverSilk Capture as the surround embellishment
represents the course of the brave souls who crossed the
expanse of the ocean to a new continent, and to a new life.
The bracelet strap shows the many waves that the ships had
to hurdle to safely bring the precious cargo to the new
world.
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