Sophie Dorothee of Württemberg

What people wore

Restricted Movement in Tight Prussian Uniforms

Prussian soldiers wore tight uniforms and white linen summer breeches that were so fitted they risked splitting if the wearer moved suddenly. They were required to keep their hair powdered, pulled back with a ribbon, and were never seen without their gaiters.

Getting around

Poor conditions of road inns

Inns were notoriously filthy and poorly equipped, forcing many travelers to sleep on straw in rooms shared with peasants or to camp in fields.

At the table

Meager peasant diet of bread and cereal

Peasant families typically survived on a meager diet consisting of black bread and cereals, often eaten without any added fat. Plain water was their primary beverage.

Music

Musical instruments used in local ensembles

Music ensembles at a boarding school in Slutsk regularly used instruments like trumpets, French horns, oboes, violins, and kettledrums purchased in Königsberg.

Daily life

Compulsory Schooling for Children

Compulsory education was established for children aged five to fourteen, though in practice attendance varied, and instruction often focused on religion and obedience. Schooling was rudimentary; children typically learned reading and writing, sometimes practicing by writing with chalk on large wooden boards, while arithmetic instruction was very basic.

What it cost

Earnings of skilled journeymen in Berlin

A journeyman craftsman such as a tailor, mason, or carpenter in Berlin typically earned 8 to 9 Taler per month.