William II of the Netherlands

William II was King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Duke of Limburg from 1840 until his death.

Daily work clothes and makeshift rain protection

On workdays, men often wore long, unpainted linen tunics and skirts, while children wore woolen-linen tunics that reached their feet until they were seven or eight years old. When it rained, farmers used the wide brims of their hats as improvised umbrellas by releasing the horsehair ribbon that held the brim up.

Hidden pockets for personal items

Working-class women used a pocket called a dijzak, a linen or cotton bag (15 x 30 cm) tied around the waist under their skirts, to carry items like money or handkerchiefs. Access to these items was gained through slits in the skirts.

Guitars for domestic sociability

Guitars were popular in Dutch homes for solo playing or to accompany singing, often serving as a respectable social activity. They were available in both foreign and locally-made versions, with some local violin makers adding unique features to their designs.

Revolutionary dancing and bell ringing

During the 1795 revolutionary celebrations, children and adults danced together around freedom trees to music, including the popular French-inspired tune La Carmagnole. Revolutionary festivities were often strictly directed by local authorities and featured loud, coordinated bell-ringing to stir emotion.

Food and candy on the Texel route

On the Amsterdam-Texel barge route, travelers were served bread with cheese and drinks to prevent seasickness, while popular 'babbelijnen' candies were also transported in large quantities. The captain ensured that passengers were not mistreated, and service was strictly regulated by the government.

Time measured distance for Dutch travelers

Dutch people often calculated distance by the time a journey took rather than by miles, with trekschuits moving at a steady rate of about four miles per hour. A trip from Amsterdam to Utrecht typically took around nine hours.

Early child labor and household duties

Children often left school at age twelve to work twelve-hour days in factories or workshops, as permitted by law. Before and after these long shifts, they were expected to help with household chores, such as watering garden vegetables or assisting with cleaning.

Multipurpose living in small homes

Ordinary homes often consisted of a single room used for all daily activities, including cooking, working, living, and sleeping, with residents frequently sleeping in built-in wall beds to save space. Floors were often made of flagstones and walls were whitewashed, offering little luxury or comfort.

Beer was the common everyday drink

Beer was safer to drink than local water, which could be contaminated, so it was consumed by both adults and children; this small beer had a low alcohol content of 0.5 to 1.5 percent.

Medicinal and herbal tea consumption

Tea was largely reserved for the sick and was often prepared using herbal substitutes like dried chamomile, elderflower, or linden blossom rather than imported tea leaves.

Price of beef in 1798

In 1798, slaughtered beef was sold for 14 stuivers per pound to the hospital of the Batavian army.

Annual earnings of an ordinary worker

In the early 19th century, an ordinary worker could earn between 250 and 300 guilders per year, provided they were not frequently struck by illness or unemployment.

Child Labor and Long Work Days

Children as young as twelve were legally permitted to work twelve-hour days in factories and workshops. Their day often began before dawn, fueled by simple meals of rye bread and coffee.

Seasonal Migration and Earnings

Seasonal workers, known as Hollandgängers, traveled from Germany to the Dutch Republic to work as peat or grass cutters, often earning between 50 and 100 florins per season. This income helped them pay feudal duties and support their families back home.