Rosa Dorothea Ritter

Rosa Dorothea Ritter, also called Rosette Ritter and Baroness of Lindenthal after 1783, was a German woman who was the second mistress of William I, Elector of Hesse from 1779 until 1788. She was an ancestor of the Barons of Haynau.

Everyday working attire in the Vaud region

In the Vaud region, working winemakers wore simple knee breeches, gaiters, open vests, and shirts, while women wore half-length skirts with colorful stripes and distinctive chimney-shaped hats.

Festive silk aprons in Central Switzerland

In the Central Swiss Reuss valley and lake communities, women wore aprons made of damask silk, with married women specifically choosing black versions for their outfits.

Music and parades at public festivals

In Vevey, the Vignerons festival parade featured musicians, Bacchus and Ceres performers, and costumed figures, while in Estavayer, nocturnal Resurrection processions used brass instruments and torches.

Spontaneous choral and home instrumental music

Common people in Swiss villages practiced spontaneous choral singing, and ambitious schoolmasters taught instrumental lessons at home on pianos or chamber organs.

First carriage crossing of St. Gotthard, 1775

Although the St. Gotthard Pass remained primarily a mule track, the first documented carriage crossing of the pass occurred in 1775 by the English geologist Greville.

Travel times between Swiss towns in 1780

In 1780, traveling by carriage on a main road from Geneva to Lausanne took 11 hours, whereas traveling between Geneva and Neuchâtel on unpaved roads required three days.

Mirrors as expensive household items

Families often purchased mirrors that cost between seven and fourteen batz, and these were placed high on the walls to prevent accidents.

Shared lamp oil for winter economy

To save money on oil for lamps during long winter evenings, two or three families would gather in one house to share the light together.

Coffee became a popular breakfast drink

Coffee consumption became popular among common people, often replacing soup at breakfast, though it was considered a luxury and children were sometimes given it as well. Milk was commonly added to make it more nutritious.

Potatoes became a vital dietary staple

The potato became a staple food for ordinary families by the late 18th century, helping to end frequent famines. It was served boiled, often accompanied by milk, cheese, and bread.

Bread prices soared during 1771 famine

During the 1771 famine, bread prices in the Canton of Basel tripled or quadrupled, while wages for many workers dropped to only one-third of their normal levels.

Daily diet of bread and soup

For many in Neuchâtel, bread and soup were the daily staples until potatoes became a widespread food source after the 1770s. Fresh meat was considered a luxury and was eaten only rarely.

Child Labor and Payment in Kind

Young laborers in agriculture were sometimes paid with clothing and shoes known as doppelten Häs, consisting of two head-to-toe sets of clothing. Children also began working in cottage industries or agriculture as early as age five to support their impoverished families.

Textile Cottage Industries Were Common

Many families engaged in cottage industries, such as spinning and weaving textiles, using tools and raw materials like wool or cotton provided by merchant-employers. This work often involved the entire family, including children, and allowed rural populations to bypass guild regulations.