Maastricht

eighteenth century

In the century of Enlightenment, the freemasons set up their lodges in Maastricht like anywhere else. The 'Groote Sociëteit' exists since 1760. The finding of the Mosasaur and the discovery of illuminating gas by Maastricht born Minckelers interested the educated citizens. Their interest for the church was inversily proportionate.
The monasteries of the Antonites and Jesuits were closed, and the church of the Jesuits became a theatre. In the street called 'Grote Looiersstraat', a house was set up for the poor.
There were a lot of military happenings too. North of the town, Dumoulin constructed a very extensive network of casemattes, the 'Bossche Fronten'. In the Austrian Succession War, a gigantic battle was fought near Lafelt west of Maastricht. The troops of Louis the Fifteenth won and consequently took Maastricht. But once more, they gave the city back to the Netherlands after peace negotiations.
Society took its cue from the French culture, like from the American culture today. The high society talked French, powdered the face, and wore perukes. At home they hung these perukes on a nail onto the wall. Stage and Chamber Music were 'in', but we will speak about this later.

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