Anselm Francis, 2nd Prince of Thurn and Taxis

What people wore

Evolution of clothing materials and styles

During the late 17th century in the region, men's clothing primarily consisted of heavy, durable fabrics, whereas women's fashion began to change more rapidly with the emergence of the dress as a distinct garment.

Daily life

Portable cooking stoves and tools

Households used metal komforen, portable stoves filled with glowing coals, for heating and as a cooking device. These allowed the transition toward frying and roasting food, which required pots and pans with flat bottoms.

Work

Wages and bonuses for printing staff

A printer's assistant could earn 6 to 7 guilders per week, while apprentices might receive only 6 stivers per week in their first year. Some employers provided new shoes or a new hat as an annual bonus.

Music

Christmas carols in church

During Christmas, churches performed Cantiones Natalitiae, polyphonic motets in Dutch or Latin that featured pastoral themes, such as shepherds playing bagpipes and flutes for the newborn Jesus.

At the table

Beer as the daily beverage

Beer was the standard drink for all, with records from Zichem indicating an estimated annual consumption of 456 liters per person. It was considered safer and healthier than water, which was often contaminated.

Getting around

Antwerp to Brussels travel schedule

A journey from Antwerp to Brussels took a full day, departing at 8 a.m. and arriving in the evening after stopping in Mechelen at noon for a meal.

What it cost

Food prices in the 17th century

A pig cost 24 livres, while a bushel of red wheat was priced at 47 sous in the 17th century.