Soldatenfrauen in Preußen: Eine Strukturanalyse der Garnisonsgesellschaft im späten 17. und 18. Jahrhundert

Not only men lived in the social environment of the Prussian army of the eighteenth century. Far more than half of all members of so-called garrison society in Prussia were wives, unsanctioned life-partners, or children of soldiers. On the basis of new sources, Engelen asks about the very different living conditions of Prussian soldiers' wifes. Many lived with their families below the subsistence level, others were rich householders and enjoyed civil rights. In order to avoid social tensions, the Prussian state had to find ways to integrate and provide the women and children of the garrison society.