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Leopold I of Belgium

Coburg, 16 Dec 1790 – Laeken, 10 Dec 1865

11 facts2 sources

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About Leopold I

Leopold I of Belgium: The First King of the Belgians

AI-assisted · edited

The collection records Leopold I’s birth in Coburg in 1790 and his death at Laeken in 1865. He was the son of Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, and Countess Augusta Reuss of Ebersdorf. 1234

The collection describes Leopold I as a German prince who became the first King of the Belgians. Its summary dates his reign from 1831 until his death in 1865. 567

Two family unions are recorded for Leopold I: his union with Louise of Orléans and his union with Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales. 89

Drafted with AI and edited against the collection. Open a citation to see the record, its sources and how certain it is.

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 16 Dec 1790

    Born in Coburg

  2. 1831–1865

    King of the Belgians

  3. 1833–1852

    6 children are born

  4. 10 Dec 1865

    Dies in Laeken, aged 74

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partners

Children · 6

During his lifetime

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

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

The 1790s · Leopold I is born in Coburg

In the news1794

Unified Prussian civil law code enacted

A unified civil law code for Prussia was developed, ultimately taking effect in 1794 to ensure more honest and efficient justice.

Getting around

Slow speeds on poor road networks

Stagecoaches traveled at a walking pace of only 4 to 5 km/h, stopping every 15 to 30 kilometers at relay stations to change horses and passengers. Due to the poor conditions of the roads, these journeys were often exhausting and prone to accidents.

At the table

Meat was a rare and precious luxury

While fresh meat was a rare luxury, some households relied on salted or smoked pork and beef, often cooking bones in sauerkraut when meat was scarce.

The French Revolution. Parisians stormed the Bastille in 1789; the monarchy fell, the king was executed, and “liberty, equality, fraternity” spread across Europe.In Europe · 1789–1799

The French Revolution. Parisians stormed the Bastille in 1789; the monarchy fell, the king was executed, and “liberty, equality, fraternity” spread across Europe.

Unidentified painter · public domain

What people wore

Men’s Sunday Black Coat

Working men typically wore a simple black coat called a Rock for their Sunday attire, which was usually fastened with hooks rather than buttons.

Music

Festival courtship and entertainment

During town fairs, young men purchased sweets and confections for their sweethearts, with the lover placing the first piece into the girl's mouth. Young people also frequented local inns to enjoy dancing, singing, and string music.

Daily life

Structured school lessons for children

Children typically began attending school at age six and received two hours of daily instruction, while older children attended for four hours in the morning. Education focused on reading, writing, arithmetic, and religious instruction, with some schools incorporating geography, nature study, and health science.