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Sigismund of Brandenburg

Berlin, 21 Dec 1538 – Halle (Saale), 23 Sep 1566

12 facts2 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born21 Dec 1538, Berlinnot verified1 source
  • TitlePrince-Bishopor Roman Catholic Archbishop of Magdeburg, 1552 · Roman Catholic Bishop of Halberstadt, 1552–1566 · diocesan administratornot verified1 source
  • Titlediocesan administratoror Roman Catholic Archbishop of Magdeburg, 1552 · Roman Catholic Bishop of Halberstadt, 1552–1566 · Prince-Bishopnot verified1 source
  • TitleRoman Catholic Archbishop of Magdeburg, 1552or Roman Catholic Bishop of Halberstadt, 1552–1566 · Prince-Bishop · diocesan administratornot verified1 source
  • TitleRoman Catholic Bishop of Halberstadt, 1552–1566or Roman Catholic Archbishop of Magdeburg, 1552 · Prince-Bishop · diocesan administratornot verified1 source
  • Died23 Sep 1566, Halle (Saale)not verified1 source
  • FatherJoachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburgnot verified1 source
  • MotherHedwig Jagiellon, Electress of Brandenburgnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 21 Dec 1538

    Born in Berlin

  2. 1552

    Roman Catholic Archbishop of Magdeburg

  3. 1552–1566

    Roman Catholic Bishop of Halberstadt

  4. 23 Sep 1566

    Dies in Halle (Saale), aged 27

Family

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Parents

During his lifetime

He lived through 4 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Berlin.

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

The 1530s · Sigismund is born in Berlin

In the news1534–1537

Public access to the postal system

The postal system opened to the general public in the Holy Roman Empire, allowing anyone to send mail for a fee and transforming communication routines.

At the table

Beer and milk were daily beverages

Beer served as a major beverage for the general population in northern areas like Hesse, as it was safer and more flavorful than water. Milk and whey were also common daily drinks for rural families, while wine was typically reserved for festive occasions and holidays.

What people wore

Basic and durable peasant clothing

Ordinary people in the region wore basic garments made of wool or fustian, with men typically wearing tunics, hosen, and hats, while women wore dresses, aprons, and head coverings. Their clothing was functional and designed to be durable, often passed down or kept until it fell apart to maximize its investment value.

Getting around

Slow pace of travel

Travel was slow and unpredictable, with average travelers covering only 30 to 45 kilometers per day, though some could reach up to 80 kilometers. Journeys were often delayed by poor road conditions, weather, or the need to stop for horse fodder every 20 to 40 kilometers.

What it cost

Income of a Hessian foot soldier

A foot soldier hired to serve the Landgrave of Hesse could earn an annual salary of 40 gulden, along with two sets of court clothing.

Music

Strict regulation of dancing and music

City authorities strictly regulated festivals, banning "useless and indecent dancing" and restricting music performances at weddings to a maximum of three musicians.

Daily life

Emergence of village schools in Hesse

Before the Reformation, village schools were reportedly non-existent in Hesse, but by 1556, visitors noted the establishment of seven village schools in the central region of the principality. Martin Luther emphasized that schools were necessary for both boys and girls to learn to conduct the affairs of life.