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Henry Frederick, Hereditary Prince of the Palatinate

Heidelberg, 1 Jan 1614 – North Holland, 7 Jan 1629

8 facts2 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 1 Jan 1614

    Born in Heidelberg

  2. 7 Jan 1629

    Dies in North Holland, aged 15

Family

See the tree

Parents

During his lifetime

He lived through 2 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Heidelberg.

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

The 1610s · Henry is born in Heidelberg

In the news1618–1623

The Kipper and Wipper Economic Crisis

Between 1618 and 1623, Germany suffered the Kipper and Wipper economic crisis, where rulers debased coins by reducing silver content, causing rapid inflation. This made it impossible for people with fixed incomes, such as teachers and pensioners, to afford basic living expenses.

Getting around

Frequent settlements provided support for travelers

Travelers on foot or with pack animals often relied on a network of paths where rural settlements were frequently spaced within a 10-kilometer distance of each other.

In the news1612

First Jewish synagogue opens in Amsterdam

The first Jewish synagogue was opened in Amsterdam, reflecting the city's role as a refuge for people fleeing religious persecution.

Daily life

Shared living spaces under one roof

Rural families often lived in timber-framed houses under the same roof as their livestock, sharing space with multiple generations and servants. Living areas were often dark and smoky due to open hearths without chimneys, with light provided by small windows or simple peep-holes.

What people wore

Everyday Women's Clothing Basics

An everyday women's outfit consisted of a white shirt, a colored bodice called a Brustlein, a skirt known as an Unterrock, and a white apron. The Brustlein was often sold as ready-to-wear, while the skirt required a tailor.

Music

Music in Homes and Religious Devotion

During the early seventeenth century, music was an integral part of home life, with keyboard tablatures enabling people to play compositions like dances or sacred works on instruments such as the organ, harpsichord, or clavichord. Meanwhile, religious life featured cradle devotions at Christmas, where music was played while rocking a cradle representing the Christ child.

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.