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Landgravine Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt

Giessen, 20 Mar 1635 – Neuburg an der Donau, 4 Aug 1709

9 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 20 Mar 1635

    Born in Giessen

  2. 1655–1679

    14 children are born

  3. 4 Aug 1709

    Dies in Neuburg an der Donau, aged 74

Family

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Parents

Partner

Children · 14

During her lifetime

She lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Giessen.

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

The 1630s · Landgravine is born in Giessen

In the news1631

The Sack of Magdeburg

In May 1631, the strategic city of Magdeburg was plundered and burned by Catholic armies, with most of its 30,000 inhabitants dying or fleeing. This event became a major media moment spread through over 250 newsletters, fueling intense sectarian anger and propaganda.

Getting around

Walking and Riding Were Common Travel Methods

Most people traveled on foot, taking an average of 30,000 to 40,000 steps per day, while wealthy individuals typically traveled on horseback.

In the news1618–1648

Destruction of the Thirty Years' War

The Thirty Years' War, lasting from 1618 to 1648, caused a demographic catastrophe where roughly one-third of urban residents and two-fifths of the rural population perished. Soldiers and camp followers frequently destroyed crops and seized food, leading to widespread famine and forcing villagers to abandon their land.

Daily life

Difficult access to clean water

Accessing safe drinking water was difficult; people often relied on ditches or rivers, which were contaminated by sewage and waste. Some used specialized cisterns to collect rainwater for drinking, keeping it separate from non-potable water.

What people wore

Men's fashion favored comfort and leather boots

During the Thirty Years' War, men's fashion shifted toward comfort, featuring high-waisted doublets and wide, knee-length breeches that fell in loose folds. Soldiers and educated men alike popularized large leather boots that reached above the knee, which were often worn turned down or slouching.

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.

At the table

Salted Herring as a Daily Staple

Salted herring was a vital, affordable protein source for ordinary people, with a single fish costing 2 alb. It served as a staple alongside bread and cheese to supplement grain-based diets.