Skip to content
VitrineVitrine
Sign in

Dorothea zu Solms-Laubach

Södel, 6 Dec 1547 – Gera, 18 Sep 1595

8 facts1 source

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 6 Dec 1547

    Born in Södel

  2. 1570–1572

    2 children are born

  3. 18 Sep 1595

    Dies in Gera, aged 47

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 2

During her lifetime

She lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Södel.

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

The 1540s · Dorothea is born in Södel

What people wore

Strict sumptuary laws restricted attire

Sumptuary laws from 1530 strictly forbade common country folk from wearing gold, silver, pearls, silk, ostrich feathers, or slashed clothing to maintain social distinctions. Furthermore, peasant women were limited to using simple fur types like lamb or goat, while any elaborate decorations or expensive accessories were officially prohibited.

Daily life

Emergence of village schools in Hesse

Before the Reformation, village schools were reportedly non-existent in Hesse, but by 1556, visitors noted the establishment of seven village schools in the central region of the principality. Martin Luther emphasized that schools were necessary for both boys and girls to learn to conduct the affairs of life.

Work

Peasant life in medieval villages

Peasants comprised over 90 percent of the population, with most families living in small, manor-based villages. Their work was strictly gendered: men plowed and cleared land, while women handled food preparation, spinning, and caring for small animals.

Music

Strict regulation of dancing and music

City authorities strictly regulated festivals, banning "useless and indecent dancing" and restricting music performances at weddings to a maximum of three musicians.

At the table

Beer and milk were daily beverages

Beer served as a major beverage for the general population in northern areas like Hesse, as it was safer and more flavorful than water. Milk and whey were also common daily drinks for rural families, while wine was typically reserved for festive occasions and holidays.

Getting around

Slow pace of travel

Travel was slow and unpredictable, with average travelers covering only 30 to 45 kilometers per day, though some could reach up to 80 kilometers. Journeys were often delayed by poor road conditions, weather, or the need to stop for horse fodder every 20 to 40 kilometers.

What it cost

Income of a Hessian foot soldier

A foot soldier hired to serve the Landgrave of Hesse could earn an annual salary of 40 gulden, along with two sets of court clothing.