Prince Georg Wilhelm of Hesse-Darmstadt

What people wore

Practical Working Clothing and Headwear

Maids wore practical working clothes like shorter skirts, loose bodices, and aprons to move freely while doing heavy chores, while women of all statuses typically wore hair caps for protection and fashion.

Getting around

Stagecoach travel costs and times in 1724

In 1724, a stagecoach trip from Genthin to Burg took over four hours for a distance of three miles. At that time, a craftsperson earned four to six groschen per day, while the stagecoach fare was three groschen per mile in summer and four groschen per mile in winter.

At the table

Introduction of the Potato

Although potatoes were introduced in 1727, they were initially met with skepticism by the public, who often did not know how to cultivate them properly. Over time, they became a crucial food source for the poor due to their reliability and ability to prevent famine.

Music

High fines for unauthorized trumpet playing

In the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst, musicians who performed with unauthorized trumpets or kettledrums at public fairs or taverns faced a fine of fifty Reichsthaler.

Daily life

Simple and Frugal Home Interiors

Homes often had low ceilings, whitewashed walls, and floors made of stone or brick that were covered in sand. Rooms were sparsely furnished, and houses frequently lacked clocks, making time-keeping and domestic life simple and frugal.

Work

Common jobs and daily routines

Most people worked as farmers, often laboring on narrow strips of land or as seasonal laborers; others engaged in cottage industries like spinning and weaving. Their day began at sunrise and continued until dark, often including heavy manual labor with simple tools like scythes and flails.