Filles de Roi

The filles du roi, or King's girls, were women who were recruited by the French Crown to populate New France. In the 16th century, the French colonies were populated almost exclusively by men. Initially, the French Crown selected orphan girls, but they later recruited young healthy girls. In the mid-17th century, French ships carried hundreds of these women, who were often not over the age of 16, to Quebec. The king even provided "dowries" to the women, which consisted of clothing and household supplies. The women usually chose their husbands within two weeks of their arrival in the New World.

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