William Frederick, Prince of Nassau-Dietz

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

Detachable Sleeves and Costs

Women used separate sleeves that were pinned or tied to their bodices, with prices such as 12 stuivers for gray satin sleeves and 8 stuivers for shorter ones.

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

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

Penalty for refusing to play music

In Dutch music inns, a capable musician who refused to play for patrons was required to buy a round of drinks for the whole tavern as a penalty.

Daily life

Early schooling for children

Children as young as three were sent to ABC schools to learn reading, often starting with religious texts, before moving to writing and arithmetic. While education was valued for both sexes, girls' instruction often emphasized reading and needlework alongside basic skills.