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John Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar

Weimar, 11 Sep 1627 – Weimar, 15 May 1683

7 facts1 source

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 11 Sep 1627

    Born in Weimar

  2. 1658–1664

    2 children are born

  3. 15 May 1683

    Dies in Weimar, aged 55

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 2

During his lifetime

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

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

The 1620s · John is born in Weimar

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.

At the table

Salted Herring as a Daily Staple

Salted herring was a vital, affordable protein source for ordinary people, with a single fish costing 2 alb. It served as a staple alongside bread and cheese to supplement grain-based diets.

What people wore

Standardized Outfits for the Poor

Charity donations in Nuremberg provided the poor with a standardized annual outfit, including a black woollen coat, waistcoat, stockings, hat, white linen shirt, and shoes, which remained unchanged for centuries.

Getting around

Walking and Riding Were Common Travel Methods

Most people traveled on foot, taking an average of 30,000 to 40,000 steps per day, while wealthy individuals typically traveled on horseback.

What it cost

Cost of footwear around 1620

A pair of men's shoes in 1620 Schaumburg cost 17 Mariengroschen, and in 1622 Pomerania, simple shoes cost 20 Schilling.

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.

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.