Skip to content
VitrineVitrine
Sign in

Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg

Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, 30 Mar 1633 – Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, 24 Jan 1708

8 facts2 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born30 Mar 1633, Bad Homburg vor der Höheor 9 Jun 1633Records disagree1 source
  • MarriedLouise Elisabeth of Courlandnot verified1 source
  • Died24 Jan 1708, Bad Homburg vor der Höhenot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 30 Mar 1633

    Born in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe

  2. 17 Jun 1672

    A daughter is born

  3. 24 Jan 1708

    Dies in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, aged 74

Family

See the tree

Partner

Children · 1

During his lifetime

He lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Bad Homburg vor der Höhe.

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

The 1630s · Frederick is born in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe

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

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.

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

Seasonal and variable schooling

Children's schooling was not mandatory and often seasonal; for example, in Isny, lessons could include math, music, and Latin, with some students having four different teachers throughout the day. In many areas, summer schooling was rare as children were required to work on farms.

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

Versatile Town Instruments

Town musicians often played versatile instruments like the cornett, a wooden instrument with a sweet, singing tone, which was used for indoor and outdoor performances.

At the table

Eating Porridge with Hands

Grain porridge was the most important hot meal, often made of oats or millet and reheated until thick. Families typically ate it by taking pieces directly from a central bowl with their hands.