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Magdalena Sibylle of Saxe-Weissenfels

Halle (Saale), 2 Sep 1648 – Gotha, 7 Jan 1681

8 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 2 Sep 1648

    Born in Halle (Saale)

  2. 1670–1680

    8 children are born

  3. 7 Jan 1681

    Dies in Gotha, aged 32

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 8

During her lifetime

She lived through 5 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Halle (Saale).

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

The 1640s · Magdalena is born in Halle (Saale)

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

Beer and Wine Instead of Water

Alcoholic beverages like beer and wine were consumed regularly instead of water, as local well water was often contaminated. Adults and children commonly drank beer, with residents of some regions consuming 2 to 3 litres daily.

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

Wages paid in goods

By the mid-17th century, laborer contracts often included payment in kind, such as pairs of shoes, grain, or clothing, in addition to a daily or annual wage.

Music

Weekly Music in Villages

In rural villages, musicians and singers performed church music every Sunday, and they even held dance events in local taverns.

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.