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George I of Saxe-Meiningen

Frankfurt, 4 Feb 1761 – Meiningen, 24 Dec 1803

10 facts1 source

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 4 Feb 1761

    Born in Frankfurt

  2. 1792–1800

    2 children are born

  3. 24 Dec 1803

    Dies in Meiningen, aged 42

During his lifetime

He lived through 5 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Frankfurt.

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

The 1760s · George I is born in Frankfurt

In the news1756–1763

Seven Years' War casualties and destruction

During the Seven Years' War, some 160,000 Prussian soldiers died in battle or from disease, devastating the population.

What people wore

Noble Men Preferred Wigs Over Beards

In the 18th century, noble men famously wore wigs and makeup, while facial hair was strictly shunned for most men, marking a major departure from later masculine standards.

Getting around

Stagecoach Travel at Walking Speed

In the mid-18th century, the stagecoach was the primary mode of travel for those who could afford it, moving at a walking pace of about 4 to 5 kilometers per hour. A trip from Nuremberg to Leipzig typically took around 70 hours, while the journey from Nuremberg to Regensburg required 20 hours.

Watt’s steam engine. James Watt’s much more efficient steam engine, patented in 1769, powered the mills and mines of the Industrial Revolution.Around the world · 1769–1776

Watt’s steam engine. James Watt’s much more efficient steam engine, patented in 1769, powered the mills and mines of the Industrial Revolution.

Nicolás Pérez · CC BY-SA 3.0

In the news1766

State monopolies on consumer goods introduced

A new tax and excise ordinance in 1766 created state monopolies on items including tobacco, coffee, and porcelain.

Music

Regulated music at weddings and funerals

Weddings were major social events where music was highly regulated by status, dictating the number of performers and the duration of the celebrations. Musicians often played at these weddings and funerals, with societies in places like Leuben attending up to 18 weddings annually.

Daily life

Seasonal Schooling Led by Untrained Teachers

Schooling was primarily limited to winter months, as children were needed for farm work and tending livestock during the rest of the year. Many village schoolmasters lacked formal training, often being retired soldiers, weavers, or tinkers.