Beginning of Essay
Historian Natalie Zemon Davis wrote an informative novel about the lives of peasants in the sixteenth century. Entitled , Davis tells a true story about a law suit against a man claiming to be someone he is not. She familiarizes the reader with peasantry, laws, an ....

Middle of Essay
.... The Guerre’s seemed to like their new lives, their family grew, and they became successful in their trade. In 1538 the only son of the Guerre family, Martin, got married to Bertrande de Rols, the beautiful daughter of a well-off family. After much trying they have one son. In 1548 the rich peasant disappeared from the village of Artigat after a family dispute over his stealing some grain from his father. Martin Guerre left his wife and child behind without a trace. In these days a wife could not marry in the absence of her husband unless she has proof of his death, even if he has been gone for twenty years. Bertrande was left wit ....