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Landgravine Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel

Kassel, 20 Nov 1627 – Heidelberg, 26 Mar 1686

9 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 20 Nov 1627

    Born in Kassel

  2. 1651–1653

    3 children are born

  3. 26 Mar 1686

    Dies in Heidelberg, aged 58

Family

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Parents

Partner

Children · 3

During her lifetime

She lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Kassel.

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

The 1620s · Landgravine is born in Kassel

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.

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.

What people wore

Bavarian laws restricted everyday clothing materials

In 1626, Bavarian law strictly forbade common people, laborers, and farmers from wearing expensive fabrics like crimson-dyed cloth, gold or silver trimmings, or silk ribbons. Farmers were instead directed to use domestic wool, sheepskin, or calfskin and were permitted only simple linen collars without lace or fringe.

Getting around

Travel Speeds Were Generally Very Slow

Typical travelers, often delayed by weather, poor roads, or cargo, were generally happy to cover 100 kilometers in a week.

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

Dark and smoky rural homes

Rural homes, known as Hallenhäuser, lacked chimneys; the open fire caused dark, smoky, and stuffy living conditions. Families often lived under the same roof as their livestock, sharing the space with generations and servants.