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William Christoph, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg

Ober-Rosbach, 13 Nov 1625 – Hamburg, 27 Aug 1681

6 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born13 Nov 1625, Ober-Rosbachnot verified1 source
  • Died27 Aug 1681, Hamburgnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 13 Nov 1625

    Born in Ober-Rosbach

  2. 30 Jun 1653

    A daughter is born

  3. 27 Aug 1681

    Dies in Hamburg, aged 55

Family

See the tree

Partner

Children · 1

During his lifetime

He lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Ober-Rosbach.

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

The 1620s · William is born in Ober-Rosbach

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

Daily porridge served as the staple meal

Porridge was the primary daily meal, often cooked in large batches and reheated, leading to a tough consistency. Ordinary families ate it by reaching into a shared bowl with their hands.

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.

Getting around

Walking and riding were primary modes of travel

Most ordinary people traveled on foot, taking 20 to 40 kilometers per day, while wealthier individuals rode horses or traveled in carriages.

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

Regulated Wedding Celebrations

Weddings were the most significant lifetime celebrations, with music, guest lists, and food heavily regulated according to the social status of the families involved.

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.