Duke Gustav Wilhelm of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

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.

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

Beer and bread soups were common daily fare

For servants and laborers, meals often featured a weak top-fermented beer, similar to Berliner Weiße, and bread soaked in liquid, such as milk or whey.

Music

Popular dances and wedding processions

Dances included a German ring dance performed in rows, as well as minuets, Anglaises, and Écossaises. For weddings, a procession of guests and musicians traveled on foot or by carriage, sometimes accompanied by a formal cavalcade of riders.

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.

What it cost

Wages of common Berlin workers

In Berlin during the second half of the 18th century, a journeyman tailor, mason, or carpenter typically earned 8 to 9 thalers per year. A kitchen maid earned between 8 and 18 thalers annually plus a small food allowance.