Anne Françoise, Comtesse de Hornes-Houtekerke

Getting around

Traveling by Horse-Drawn Barge

Between 1623 and the 19th century, horse-drawn barges called trekschuiten were a primary way to travel between Flemish towns, such as the eight-hour journey between Bruges and Ghent. These boats featured different cabin classes, including a comfortable 'statenkamer' at the back.

Daily life

Beer for children and charcoal foot warmers

Because city water was often too dirty to drink, even children drank beer, though it had a lower alcohol content than modern varieties. To keep their feet warm in cold churches, people used a foot warmer called a lollepot, which was filled with hot charcoal and often placed under a woman's skirt.

What people wore

Everyday Dress of Working Women

Lower-class Flemish women wore a practical ensemble consisting of a linen smock, a woolen gown that laced at the front, a sleeveless partlet over the torso, and pinned-on sleeves. They did not wear boned corsets or hip-enhancing bumrolls, which were restricted to the wealthy.

Music

Religious songs adapted from court music

The church sometimes repurposed popular secular French court songs, known as airs de cour, by writing new religious lyrics to the same melodies for the congregation to sing.

At the table

Beer as the customary drink

Beer was the customary drink for people of all ages because water was often contaminated. It was served in various jugs and was cheaper than wine, which was considered an elite drink.