Louise Hollandine of the Palatinate

At the table

Beer as a daily necessity

Beer was the standard drink for everyone, including children, because polluted water made it dangerous to consume. People drank a low-alcohol version called small beer, with annual per capita consumption estimated at around 280 liters.

What people wore

Layering for Winter Skating

During winter, Dutch skaters wore extra layers of wool under their indoor clothing, which added colorful festive accents to the drab countryside.

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

Cost of bread and beer

In 1620, a 12-pound loaf of rye bread cost 6.5 stuivers, while a tankard of beer cost only 0.5 stuivers.

Music

Egg dance challenge

The egg dance, a traditional folk dance, challenged dancers to move an egg out of a chalk circle using only their feet without breaking it.

Daily life

Split Doors Kept Children Safe

Families often used split doors, which allowed the top half to be opened for fresh air while keeping the bottom half closed to keep animals out and small children safely inside.