Heinrich II., Reuss zu Köstritz

What people wore

Cost of dressing well vs. income

Being well-dressed was expensive; a gentleman's annual clothing costs averaged 180 guilders, while 40 percent of households lived on less than 300 guilders annually. Consequently, wealthy clothing was out of reach for many.

Getting around

The cost of daily travel

A skilled craftsman earning one gulden per day could travel at most 20 kilometers by trekschuit with his wife. Choosing the higher-class roef cabin was more comfortable but cost about three times as much as road travel by post-wagon.

At the table

Preserving meat for the year

In rural areas, farmers typically slaughtered livestock in autumn and salted or smoked the meat to make it last the entire year.

Music

Dancing and Festivals in Social Life

Festivals and dances were vital for social connection, with public celebrations frequently including collective singing and dancing. For example, the Carmagnole was a popular dance performed during the revolutionary freedom tree celebrations in 1795.

Daily life

Kitchen-centered cooking and daily living

Cooking and daily life were centered in the kitchen, which often served as the main space for dwelling and sometimes sleeping. Meals typically consisted of potatoes, vegetables like cabbage or beans, and sometimes rye bread or bacon, prepared using simple methods in the home.

What it cost

Annual earnings of an ordinary worker

In the early 19th century, an ordinary worker could earn between 250 and 300 guilders per year, provided they were not frequently struck by illness or unemployment.