Edward, Count Palatine of Simmern

At the table

Herring as a protein staple

Herring was a dietary cornerstone for the lower classes, frequently consumed salted or pickled because it was plentiful and affordable. The Dutch fishing industry was so efficient at processing and packing herring at sea that these fish were a reliable protein source for many.

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

Forcing a boat departure with money

Before the major canal network expansion in the 1630s, travelers between cities often used small, irregular ferries where boatmen would only depart once they had collected enough cargo or passengers were willing to pay the difference to force an immediate departure. Early efforts to regulate this, such as a 1605 ordinance in Delft, required passengers to pay 24 stuivers for a one-way trip to force a boat to leave.

What it cost

Wages and purchasing power

An outdoor laborer earned about 6.5 guilders per week, while 100 guilders could purchase roughly 2,535 pounds of rye bread or 570 pounds of meat.

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.