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William Frederick, Prince of Nassau-Dietz

Arnhem, 7 Aug 1613 – Leeuwarden, 31 Oct 1664

6 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born7 Aug 1613, Arnhemnot verified1 source
  • Died31 Oct 1664, Leeuwardennot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 7 Aug 1613

    Born in Arnhem

  2. 1655–1657

    2 children are born

  3. 31 Oct 1664

    Dies in Leeuwarden, aged 51

Family

See the tree

Partner

Children · 2

During his lifetime

He lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Arnhem.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1610s · William is born in Arnhem

In the news1612

First Jewish synagogue opens in Amsterdam

The first Jewish synagogue was opened in Amsterdam, reflecting the city's role as a refuge for people fleeing religious persecution.

At the table

Bread as a dietary staple

Bread was the cornerstone of the diet, with poor families consuming significant amounts of dark rye bread. A family of four might eat as much as five pounds of this dense, rye bread daily.

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

An early canal route in 1610

Contrary to the popular belief that the first tow-canal was built in 1631, the 14-kilometer-long Grift canal between Arnhem and Nijmegen was already in use by 1610. This allowed travelers to connect to the broader Dutch water transport system early in the century.

What it cost

Weekly wages for workers and craftsmen

An outdoor laborer in the 17th century typically earned 6.50 guilders per week, while a master carpenter earned 9 guilders per week.

Music

Epiphany children's music

During Epiphany, children played the rommelpot and sang songs to ask for sweets or pennies from passersby.

Daily life

Home life and furniture

Homes were less private than today, with front doors often left open for neighbors and children to walk in, and food was kept fresh in a spinde, a ventilated cupboard. Additionally, parents used potty chairs for young children, although physicians warned they might cause saggy bellies.