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Elizabeth of Denmark, Duchess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

Koldinghus, 14 Sep 1573 – Brunswick, 19 Jul 1626

10 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 14 Sep 1573

    Born in Koldinghus

  2. 23 Jun 1593

    A daughter is born

  3. 19 Jul 1626

    Dies in Brunswick, aged 52

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 1

During her lifetime

She lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Koldinghus.

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

The 1570s · Elizabeth is born in Koldinghus

In the news1575–1578

Four-year plague epidemic strikes

A deadly four-year epidemic, characterized by painful swellings and fever, devastated the population from 1575 to 1578.

Getting around

Frequent carriage changes in winter

Travelers often had to change carriages every two to four miles in winter because coachmen were unwilling to travel far and horses tired quickly in the snow.

In the news1572

Banking house collapse ruins economy (1572)

The collapse of the major merchant and banking house Loitz in Stettin in 1572 caused widespread economic turmoil throughout the region of Pomerania.

Daily life

Peasant home living and sleeping arrangements

Most peasants slept in alcove-like beds, which were short because people typically slept sitting up to stay warm. The house was often a single room centered around an open hearth that served as kitchen, living room, and bedroom.

What people wore

Everyday linen garments for artisans

Ordinary artisans frequently owned multiple linen shirts and shifts, which served as essential base layers worn closest to the skin.

Music

Tower Musicians and Expensive Instruments

Tower musicians played daily signals for the city, including morning, midday, and evening sets, and were also hired for private events like weddings. Frederik II ordered two new silver kettledrums from a Kolding goldsmith, which cost over 4000 kroner.

At the table

Fish for all social classes

Fish were a central part of the diet for both peasants and royalty, consumed fresh, salted, air-dried, or smoked.