Anna of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Getting around

Carriages were uncomfortable and rare

Carriages were uncomfortable, unsprung vehicles primarily used by women, the sick, or prisoners, as they were prone to squeaking and shaking on poor roads.

Daily life

Small, dark peasant homes housing livestock

Ordinary peasant homes were typically small, dark, two-room huts made from materials like mud and straw, often featuring dirt floors and thatched roofs with few or no windows to keep out the cold. In many households, it was common to bring livestock inside during the winter to keep them warm and safe.

What people wore

Essential Daily Aprons for Women

Peasant women typically wore an apron over their dress throughout the day because most household chores were messy. This apron often extended to the feet and could also cover their torso.

Music

Carnival Dances and Singing Traditions

During the Nuremberg carnival, butchers performed a traditional round dance in public, which was supported by the city council and accompanied by professional town pipers. Dancers also frequently sang as they performed in these rounds, although some city councils prohibited the singing of shameful songs during the festivities.

At the table

German reputation for fatty, mustard-heavy diets

Germans were known for a fatty diet, using lard and butter extensively for cooking, and were famous for smearing generous amounts of mustard on meat.