 The efforts in the Duchy of Palatinate-Zweibrücken dating from the time of the Reformation to further schooling throughout the duchy, supported an independent interpretation of the Bible, disrupted by the war-filled times of the 17th century.A few schools existed, taught the year round, but were only found in larger towns.Smaller centres like Theisbergstegen, for the most part, had to make do throughout the 18th century with winter school (a school geared towards an agricultural community's practical needs, held in the winter, when farm families had a bit more time to spare), in which the winter school teacher would hold classes during the colder months, only to seek another livelihood in the warmer ones.