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William, Prince of Orange

The Hague, 4 Sep 1840 – Paris, 11 Jun 1879

8 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 4 Sep 1840

    Born in The Hague

  2. 11 Jun 1879

    Dies in Paris, aged 38

Family

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Parents

During his lifetime

He lived through 4 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around The Hague.

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

The 1840s · William, is born in The Hague

In the news1848

Netherlands becomes a parliamentary democracy

Following revolutions across Europe, King Willem II agreed to the Constitution of 1848, which transformed the Netherlands into a parliamentary democracy.

Getting around

The introduction of the steam railway

The first railway line in the Netherlands, between Amsterdam and Haarlem, opened in 1839. This journey took approximately 25 to 28 minutes, marking a significant increase in speed over traditional methods.

In Europe1845–1852

The Great Famine in Ireland

Potato blight ruined harvests: a million Irish people died and a million more emigrated, many to America.

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.

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.

Music

Violin music at village festivals

The violin was a vital instrument for rural dances and village festivals, though local authorities sometimes tried to ban its use due to the disorder caused at these gatherings.

At the table

Coffee and gin as essential drinks

Due to polluted well water, urban workers often drank weak coffee or chicory as a safer alternative, while gin was widely consumed for stimulation.