Ah, the joys that genealogy can bring… such a variety of discoveries!  

Take the fork, for instance. Have you ever lost sleep over this vital, existential question: “When did the fork arrive in France?” Well, I have… I’ve had so many sleepless nights wondering about it, waking up my husband in the middle of the night, until I discovered its story while researching genealogy! 

In French, “fork” is “fourchette”, which comes from the Italian word “forchetta” which means “little pitchfork”. 

The fork was already used during the Byzantine Empire (which started in 330 AD and ended in 1453 with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire). It first appeared in Italy between 1000 and 1050 with the marriage of a Byzantine princess with the Doge of Venice (some sources say she was Theodora Doukaina who married Domenico Selvo, while other sources say she was Maria Argyre who married Giovanni Orseolo. There too: more sleepless nights… Whoever she was, bless her heart…)

At that time, the fork was only used to eat… pasta, of course! What else would Italians use it for, you might ask…?

Then, things changed…

Catherine de’ Medici, born in Florence, Italy, in 1519, is said to have brought the fork in her suitcase when she moved to France in 1533 to marry the future Henry II of France (she would later become Queen of France in 1547).  Thanks, Cath! I don’t have a problem eating with my fingers, but I can’t imagine eating bœuf bourguignon, ratatouille or fondue savoyarde (cheese fondue) with hands… Just not convenient. I’m in love with my fork… 

Catherine de’ Medici gave Henry II of France ten children, of which three sons would become Kings of France, one daughter Queen of France, and another daughter Queen of Spain. And what did her King husband do to thank her for this achievement? He cheated on her with several mistresses, the most famous one being Diane de Poitiers! Now granted… Catherine de’ Medici didn’t seem to be too much fun to be around, but still…

---