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Frederick William of Brandenburg

Berlin Palace, 16 Feb 1620 – City Palace, 29 Apr 1688

13 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 16 Feb 1620

    Born in Berlin Palace

  2. 1640–1688

    Duke of Prussia

  3. 1640–1688

    Margrave of Brandenburg

  4. 1640–1688

    Prince-Elector

  5. 1648–1677

    13 children are born

  6. 29 Apr 1688

    Dies in City Palace, aged 68

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partners

Children · 13

During his lifetime

He lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Berlin Palace.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1620s · Frederick is born in Berlin Palace

In the news1618–1623

The Kipper and Wipper Economic Crisis

Between 1618 and 1623, Germany suffered the Kipper and Wipper economic crisis, where rulers debased coins by reducing silver content, causing rapid inflation. This made it impossible for people with fixed incomes, such as teachers and pensioners, to afford basic living expenses.

At the table

Daily porridge served as the staple meal

Porridge was the primary daily meal, often cooked in large batches and reheated, leading to a tough consistency. Ordinary families ate it by reaching into a shared bowl with their hands.

What people wore

Everyday Women's Clothing Basics

An everyday women's outfit consisted of a white shirt, a colored bodice called a Brustlein, a skirt known as an Unterrock, and a white apron. The Brustlein was often sold as ready-to-wear, while the skirt required a tailor.

Getting around

Walking and riding were primary modes of travel

Most ordinary people traveled on foot, taking 20 to 40 kilometers per day, while wealthier individuals rode horses or traveled in carriages.

What it cost

Cost of food and shoes

In 1620–1622, a pair of men's shoes cost 17 to 20 Schillinge, while a pound of beef or pork cost between 0.8 and 1.5 Mariengroschen.

Music

Weekly Music in Villages

In rural villages, musicians and singers performed church music every Sunday, and they even held dance events in local taverns.

Daily life

Water access and heating systems

Wealthier households had private wells with pumps, but many town dwellers relied on public rivers or town ditches, which were often contaminated by waste. Some stoves featured built-in water cisterns that provided hot water for daily tasks.