Manuel of Braganza

Music

Royal Chapel villancicos featured everyday characters

Starting in 1640, King João IV established a tradition of singing villancicos in the Royal Chapel during major religious festivals like Christmas, Epiphany, and the Immaculate Conception. These songs frequently used relatable figures like sailors, musicians, soldiers, slaves, and gypsies to bridge the social gap between everyday people and the sacred power represented by the monarchy.

At the table

Broa: the essential daily bread

Corn bread known as broa was the essential daily staple, often baked once a week and kept fresh for days; it was so vital that children carried pieces of it to eat throughout the day.

Daily life

Low literacy rates in Porto region

In the region of Porto during this period, only about 16% of the population could read and write.

What people wore

Fishermen's work and festive attire

Fishermen typically wore simple linen drawers, a co-called sertum vest, and a wool hat for work, but dressed in blue cloth trousers, vests, and jackets for Sundays and town visits. Silver-buckled shoes were reserved for major feast days like weddings or Saint Peter's Day.

Getting around

Travel Methods and Daily Distances

Travel occurred on foot, by animal, or by boat, with daily distances of around 40 km for those traveling with horses, though much slower for those with bovine-drawn transport.

What it cost

Declining living standards in the 1600s

During the 17th century, living standards for both skilled and unskilled workers in cities like Lisbon and Coimbra declined, placing Portugal among European countries with falling living standards at the time.