William of the Netherlands

What it cost

Diet of the laboring class

Potatoes were the main food for laborers, often eaten with vinegar and mustard, while meat was a luxury item that most workers could rarely afford. Wheat bread was too expensive due to taxes, so laborers typically ate rye bread or bread made from barley or potato flour.

What people wore

Clothing signaled marital status

A woman's marital status was often signaled by her clothing, such as the position of a forehead pin under her cap or the knot of a neckerchief. For example, a forehead pin worn on the left indicated an unmarried woman, while the right side indicated she was married.

Daily life

Water access and costly light

Water had to be fetched manually from pumps, wells, or rain barrels, and in some areas, the available water was of poor quality, often contaminated by waste. Because lighting, such as candles and lamp oil, was costly, daily activities were strictly dictated by daylight.

Work

Daily rhythm of farm life

Farmers and their laborers typically woke up around 4 a.m. during the summer to start milking and cheese-making. The day ended around 9 p.m. after completing evening chores and a warm meal.

Getting around

Common travel methods in early 1800s Netherlands

In the early 19th century, people mainly traveled by horse-drawn barge (trekschuit), stagecoach (diligence), or on foot. Barges were known for their reliable schedules and affordability, while stagecoaches were faster but more expensive and hindered by poor road conditions.

At the table

Year-long meat preservation strategy

In the autumn, farmers slaughtered enough livestock to last a full year, preserving meat through heavy salting or smoking in the chimney.