Abstract
The emperor Ferdinand I (1503-1564) issued an extensive document in 1563 that pertained to a reform of court of his five unmarried daughters living in Innsbruck at the time: Archduchesses Magdalena, Margareta, Barbara, Helena, and Johana. Reasons for writing up such a court order (Hofordnung) were mostly economical, i. e. the new measures were to reduce the costs necessary for court maintenance.
From frequent mentions about purchases and goods orders (especially food and cloth), it is possible to make a picture of vast merchant networks with Innsbruck in their centre that included, apart from South and North Tyrol, Austrian Lands and many imperial cities (such as Frankfurt, Augsburg, Nuremberg), also the Netherlands and Bohemian Lands. As a part of the court order, there is also a name list of all court members, in total of 120 people, divided in the women's section (fraucimor) and men's section.
A precise description of court members' duties provides testimony not only about other cost-saving measures, but also about effort to ensure a safe and comfortable lifestyle for archduchesses, corresponding to their social status. An emphasis on ensuring of quality food, clean environment, in which the daughters lived, activities on fresh air, continuous education and observation of catholic faith present the emperor Ferdinand I in a new light - as a caring and careful father.
The court order from 1563 is, first of all, an evidence on general principles that regulated the running of female Habsburg courts in the Renaissance time.