Innkeeper (herbergier or waard)

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