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Princess Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg

Bavarian, 1619 – Gotha, 20 Dec 1680

10 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 1619

    Born in Bavarian

  2. 1640–1658

    5 children are born

  3. 20 Dec 1680

    Dies in Gotha

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 5

During her lifetime

She lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Bavarian.

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

The 1610s · Princess is born in Bavarian

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

Common beer consumption

Beer was the standard daily beverage for most people, and by the 16th century, many taverns brewed their own dark, top-fermented beer. Wine was generally reserved for the wealthy or special occasions, as it was significantly more expensive.

What people wore

Exclusive aristocratic symbols

Wearing the color red or sporting a feather on a hat were considered highly elitist practices reserved for the aristocracy and prohibited for the rural population.

Getting around

River travel was faster than land transport.

Travel by boat downstream was the fastest method, with one vessel type covering 450 kilometers from Regensburg to Vienna in at least a week. Boats could reach up to 150 kilometers in 24 hours under optimal downstream conditions.

What it cost

Candle Prices

In the early 17th century, one pound of tallow candles cost 6 Kreuzer, while a pound of table candles cost 28 Kreuzer.

Music

Noble dance music in Graz

Around 1618, nobility in Graz enjoyed ensemble dance music, such as the pieces in Posch's collection, often featuring four string instruments for feasts.

Daily life

Children treated as adults

Children were typically treated like small adults and were expected to emulate adult behavior as they learned crafts and chores from their parents.