| The Filthy Weed |
By the mid-17th century, the use of tobacco had spread throughout central Europe, where its
addictive nature was obvious. Its popularity increased during the Thirty Years War. In 1650,
Austrians lit up for the first time, and by 1677 it was noted: "For although tobacco be not necessary
for the sustenance of man, yet have matters gone so far that many are of a mind that they would
rather lack bread than tobacco".
addictive nature was obvious. Its popularity increased during the Thirty Years War. In 1650,
Austrians lit up for the first time, and by 1677 it was noted: "For although tobacco be not necessary
for the sustenance of man, yet have matters gone so far that many are of a mind that they would
rather lack bread than tobacco".
By the early 18th century, one could be fined or
jailed for the careless use of pipes after the danger of
fire they posed became apparent. A law was enacted
by the Duke of Braunschweig-Lunneburg in 1719
making it compulsory for pipes to have a so-called
Kapsel, a cap or lid made of metal or wire. But it
wasn't a pipe that would burn down Braunschweig.
That event would be reserved for the British in 1944.
Pope Innocent V was obligated to issue a Papal Bull
against smoking in St Peter's.
jailed for the careless use of pipes after the danger of
fire they posed became apparent. A law was enacted
by the Duke of Braunschweig-Lunneburg in 1719
making it compulsory for pipes to have a so-called
Kapsel, a cap or lid made of metal or wire. But it
wasn't a pipe that would burn down Braunschweig.
That event would be reserved for the British in 1944.
Pope Innocent V was obligated to issue a Papal Bull
against smoking in St Peter's.
The kings of Prussia, Friedrich I and Friedrich
Wilhelm I, were both great pipe smokers. In 1735,
Frederick William I and his best friend Stanislaus,
the ex-King of Poland, often smoked over 30 pipes
between them within a 12 hour period.
Wilhelm I, were both great pipe smokers. In 1735,
Frederick William I and his best friend Stanislaus,
the ex-King of Poland, often smoked over 30 pipes
between them within a 12 hour period.
| "Tobacco College at the Court of King Friedrich I. of Prussia in the Red Chamber" Paul Carl Leygebe, c.1710 |
The "soldier king“ king turned the "Tobacco College"
into a regular part of life at the Prussian court in
Berlin. The king enjoyed smoking a clay or
meerschaum pipe in the company of friends and
guests, including the clergy, military officers, nobles
and scientists, while discussing current events and
other topics, as well as playing games. He enjoyed
keeping abreast of the latest "guard-room jokes." A
so-called Tobacco College was popular not only with
the King of Prussia, but with almost every German
sovereign of that era.
into a regular part of life at the Prussian court in
Berlin. The king enjoyed smoking a clay or
meerschaum pipe in the company of friends and
guests, including the clergy, military officers, nobles
and scientists, while discussing current events and
other topics, as well as playing games. He enjoyed
keeping abreast of the latest "guard-room jokes." A
so-called Tobacco College was popular not only with
the King of Prussia, but with almost every German
sovereign of that era.
In 1661 Nürnberg it was said: "Many a one becomes
so used to the stuff that he cannot be parted from it
neither day nor night." The vice of smoking had
emerged as an accompaniment to the vice of beer.
so used to the stuff that he cannot be parted from it
neither day nor night." The vice of smoking had
emerged as an accompaniment to the vice of beer.
A less reverent look at the Soldier king
