Countess Louise Henriette of Nassau

At the table

Beer as a safer everyday drink

Because water was frequently contaminated, ordinary families drank beer with every meal, including breakfast. This beer was typically a low-alcohol variety, often called small beer, which was safer to consume than water.

What people wore

Dutch Women's Headwear Traditions

In the early 17th century, a woman's hair was typically hidden under a small cap; she first wore an under-cap directly on her hair, followed by an ornamental cap on top.

Getting around

Strict schedules and timekeeping measures

To ensure punctuality, sandglasses were used in boats and at docks to time the trips, and skippers were fined if they caused delays. In some cases, passengers could even pay 18 stuivers to force a boat to depart.

What it cost

Bread as a primary expense

Bread was the cornerstone of the diet for the poor, who often spent 50 percent or more of their income on it.

Music

Church music and folk dance customs

Organists played for up to an hour after Sunday and Wednesday church services, sometimes using the organ to help the congregation practice the melody and tone for the psalms. During festive seasons, commoners participated in the traditional egg dance, which required dancers to maneuver around eggs on the ground without breaking them.

Daily life

Drinking Beer Instead of Water

Because water could be contaminated, children and adults alike drank weak beer with meals, as the brewing process killed dangerous bacteria through extreme heat.