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Karl Alexander, 5th Prince of Thurn and Taxis

Regensburg, 22 Feb 1770 – Dischingen, 15 Jul 1827

8 facts1 source

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 22 Feb 1770

    Born in Regensburg

  2. 1790–1805

    7 children are born

  3. 15 Jul 1827

    Dies in Dischingen, aged 57

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 7

During his lifetime

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

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

The 1770s · Karl is born in Regensburg

In the news1770–1771

Migration during the 1770-71 famine

During the great famines of 1770–71, peasants from other parts of Germany migrated to Prussia where food supplies were more accessible.

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.

In Europe1772–1795

Poland is partitioned

Russia, Prussia and Austria divided Poland among themselves in three steps until, in 1795, it vanished from the map for 123 years.

Daily life

Seasonal Schooling Led by Untrained Teachers

Schooling was primarily limited to winter months, as children were needed for farm work and tending livestock during the rest of the year. Many village schoolmasters lacked formal training, often being retired soldiers, weavers, or tinkers.

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.

Music

Regulated music at weddings and funerals

Weddings were major social events where music was highly regulated by status, dictating the number of performers and the duration of the celebrations. Musicians often played at these weddings and funerals, with societies in places like Leuben attending up to 18 weddings annually.

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.