Soap maker (zeepzieder)

The Dutch zeepzieders produced two kinds of soap: summer- and winter soap. The two main ingredients were hemp-oil and coleseed-oil. From Martinmas (11 November) until Shrove Tuesday (six weeks before Easter) the mixture contained two parts hemp-oil and one part coleseed-oil and from Shrove Tuesday until Martinmas two parts coleseed-oil and one part hemp-oil. These two kinds of soap were called winter- and summer soap. In later years linseed oil became the third ingredient, but it had to be crystal clear, not turbid. But increasing oil-prices forced the soap makers to bend their rules sometimes; in 1704 and 1716 they were allowed to use butter in the summer soap and in 1709 and 1740 they added talc, which had a negative effect on the quality. Those deviations from the rules were exceptions, the quality had to be protected. Soap makers who broke the rules by using fish-oil could count on a 300 guilders fine and closure of their mill for at least three months.

The barrels in which the soap were stored had to have three different brands: a W or S for the kind of soap, the mark of the soap maker and the coat of arms of the town. An official “burner”, appointed by the city authorities, did this; it’s obvious that this had something to do with taxes.

>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