Zofia z Kasperowiec Kasparow

What people wore

Popularity of slitted clothing

Slitting sleeves and clothes to reveal contrasting linings or shirts underneath became a very popular trend in the early 16th century. This style was adopted by various social classes as a touch of flirtation and intimacy.

Daily life

Protective names given to young children

Before a formal naming ceremony at the first haircut, children were given protective names like Wolf or Not-Mine to mislead evil spirits.

Work

Compulsory unpaid labor on manorial farms

Peasants spent much of their time performing unpaid labor, known as panszczyzna, on the lord's manorial farm in addition to working their own plots. This obligation was legally set at a minimum of one day per week by 1520 and often required farmers to provide their own horses, oxen, and equipment.

Music

Musical instruments at festivities

Instruments like the lute, harp, violin, and bagpipes were commonly used to accompany festivities, weddings, and parties at inns or manors.

At the table

Fish and salt preservation

Ordinary diets included fish such as carp and pike, which were often preserved with salt to supplement food supplies beyond the harvest.

Getting around

Importance of River Transport

Because land roads were often muddy and difficult, river transport using various vessels was essential for long-distance travel and the movement of heavy goods across the Commonwealth.

What it cost

Wages and purchasing power in Krakow

An average unskilled laborer in 16th-century Kraków earned about 2 grosze per day, which was enough to buy over 70 kilograms of rye or 45 kilograms of wheat per week.