Georg August zu Erbach-Schönberg

George August was the Count of Erbach-Schönberg and an Imperial counselor.

Black was the color of the wealthy class

Around 1700, black clothing became the standard for noble and higher social classes in Swiss cities because black fabrics were the most expensive and precious materials available at the time.

Luxury items were restricted by sumptuary laws

In the late 17th century, legal sumptuary laws in Swiss cities strictly prohibited people from wearing specific luxury items like silk clothing, intricate embroidery, and expensive accessories such as jewelry, unless worn for special honorable occasions like weddings or baptisms.

Social dancing despite religious opposition

Dancing accompanied by instruments was a central part of social life in Geneva, despite official resistance from church authorities. Itinerant musicians and dance teachers were key in spreading these practices beyond the nobility to artisans and the bourgeoisie.

Swiss soldiers played the fife

The fife, a high-pitched wind instrument, was commonly played by Swiss soldiers alongside drums for military duties and ceremonies.

Three-day journey from Altdorf to Milan

In 1697, the courier service operated by Bernese entrepreneur Beat Fischer von Reichenbach required three days to travel between Altdorf and Milan.

Four-day Milan-Lucerne messenger route

Beginning in 1653, a weekly messenger service run by Diego Maderno crossed the Gotthard pass between Milan and Lucerne in four days.

Household habits and animals

In winter, chickens were kept inside the family's main living room, the Stübli, where they could lay eggs in a wooden cage. The youngest children were sometimes kept on wooden potties for extended periods because mothers lacked the time and cloth nappies to do otherwise.

The soul hole window

Families often used a small window on the upper floor, known as the soul hole, which was intended to allow the soul of a deceased family member to rise toward the heavens.

Dietary divide between classes

While the wealthy enjoyed complex dishes with imported spices and sugar, poorer families relied heavily on basic oat or grain porridge.

Eating with knife and spoon

Before the widespread adoption of forks in the 17th century, ordinary people ate their meals using only a knife and a spoon.

Beef prices in the 1680s

During the 1681-1690 period, the price of a pound of beef in Zurich reached up to 3.5 shillings.

Worker wages in late 17th-century Zurich

Between 1681 and 1690, a master carpenter earned 17 shillings per day, while a mason's assistant earned 13 shillings and 6 pence per day.

Earnings from Spinning

Families often relied on spinning silk, wool, or cotton to supplement their income, though it paid very little. In 1649, a mother and four sisters spinning together could not earn more than 16 to 20 Batzen per week.

Low Wages for Day Laborers

Day laborers were hired as needed, and their daily wages were extremely low, sometimes only 4 Batzen in summer and 3 Batzen in winter. Work hours were not fixed but followed the length of daylight, being longer in summer.

Fees paid by the recipient

Under the Fischer postal service established in 1675, letter delivery fees were paid by the recipient rather than the sender, which was considered a relief at the time.

Speed of correspondence in the 1670s

Starting in 1675, letters sent to major cities like Zurich, Basel, Schaffhausen, and Geneva typically received a response by the third day.