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New Netherland, New York Genealogy
Obsolete Occupations of the Netherlands
© Cor Snabel
Innkeeper (herbergier or waard)
The entertainment the 17th century Dutchmen had, was
limited. Life was hard and death was everywhere. Most of
them had to work hard to earn their daily bread, but there
were a few places to relax.
If a nobleman in the Middle Ages spent the night at an inn,
he attached his shield to the front-wall and put a guard
next to the door in order to scare of the robbers and
beggars. Seeing the shield the other travelers knew they
were in the company of noble guests and that they could
safely close their eyes. The innkeeper asked the knight if
he could keep the shield as a souvenir and attached it to
his inn permanently. When Count Dirk VI went to Kleef he had
a number of spare shields with him, to leave behind at every
inn. It is said, that this explains why so many inns had a
coat of arms or a lion in their name.
The inn was the place where the 17th century countryman
spent his time for leisure and pleasure. One could drink
there, or smoke, sing, talk and most of all gamble. The men
played cards or chess, and always for money. Very popular
was a particular dice-game, which resembles the American
game craps. The inn was also the perfect place to do
business, although the church called it evil-, silly- or
fool’s trade; some deals were made with too much alcohol as
bad counseller. The frequency of this kind of deals was so
high, that in Holland a law was issued, that every
transaction made in an inn or bar could be cancelled within
24 hours.
The highlights for the innkeeper were the annual fairs and
markets. Musicians and comedians had to draw the customers
and raise sales. The whole family had to work at the inn;
the wife and daughters served the drinks, while the father
and sons entertained the guests with cards and games and
removed any occassional troublemakers. In later years the
inns had their own “amusement park”; labyrinths were laid
out next to the inn. Or a field for the local favorite ball
sport malie, a game simular to croquet.
>Choose from the following ancient occupations
Baker |
Beachcomber |
Beguine |
Candlemaker |
Dumpman |
Executioner |
Fanmaker |
Fireman |
Gravedigger |
Innkeeper |
Laundrywoman |
Nightwatch |
Peddlar |
Porter |
Seat Caretaker |
Ship Shanghai |
Soapmaker |
Streetpaver |
Tolltaker |
Pharmacist
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