Duchess Maria Anna Josepha of Bavaria

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.

What people wore

Mandatory Clothing for Knackers

A 1733 regulation required knackers and their assistants to wear dark gray coats with buttons and red, pointed hats to identify themselves in public. Failure to follow this dress code resulted in forced labor known as the cart punishment.

Getting around

Diverse modes and speeds of travel

While the wealthy could use express post services to travel faster, a large portion of the population traveled between towns on foot, including traders and pilgrims. Traveling with a large entourage, such as a queen's court, was significantly slower due to the need for frequent stops and local greetings.

Work

Mandatory spinning for workers

A 1723 royal edict mandated that street vendors and unemployed servants spin one pound of wool weekly, and even craftswomen or merchants' daughters were forbidden from sitting idle while at market stalls. They were required to spend their time spinning wool or flax, knitting, or sewing instead.

Music

Hautboisten provided common musical entertainment

Hautboisten, who were professional wind ensembles, were among the primary providers of musical entertainment in Prussian lands during the first half of the 18th century.

Daily life

Simple peasant and town housing

Common peasant homes were simple one or two-room timber-framed structures, often dominated by a central hearth used for both warmth and cooking meals like bread and potatoes. In some planned towns, houses were built without cellars and partitioned into two equal living spaces to accommodate two families each.