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Anna Maria of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Schwerin, 1 Jul 1627 – Halle (Saale), 11 Dec 1669

9 facts2 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 1 Jul 1627

    Born in Schwerin

  2. 1648–1654

    3 children are born

  3. 11 Dec 1669

    Dies in Halle (Saale), aged 42

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 3

During her lifetime

She lived through 5 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Schwerin.

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

The 1620s · Anna is born in Schwerin

In the news1618–1648

Destruction of the Thirty Years' War

The Thirty Years' War, lasting from 1618 to 1648, caused a demographic catastrophe where roughly one-third of urban residents and two-fifths of the rural population perished. Soldiers and camp followers frequently destroyed crops and seized food, leading to widespread famine and forcing villagers to abandon their land.

At the table

Eating Porridge with Hands

Grain porridge was the most important hot meal, often made of oats or millet and reheated until thick. Families typically ate it by taking pieces directly from a central bowl with their hands.

What people wore

Men's fashion favored comfort and leather boots

During the Thirty Years' War, men's fashion shifted toward comfort, featuring high-waisted doublets and wide, knee-length breeches that fell in loose folds. Soldiers and educated men alike popularized large leather boots that reached above the knee, which were often worn turned down or slouching.

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 food and shoes

In 1620–1622, a pair of men's shoes cost 17 to 20 Schillinge, while a pound of beef or pork cost between 0.8 and 1.5 Mariengroschen.

Music

Regulated Wedding Celebrations

Weddings were the most significant lifetime celebrations, with music, guest lists, and food heavily regulated according to the social status of the families involved.

Daily life

Dark and smoky rural homes

Rural homes, known as Hallenhäuser, lacked chimneys; the open fire caused dark, smoky, and stuffy living conditions. Families often lived under the same roof as their livestock, sharing the space with generations and servants.