Vladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary

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

Modest wooden homes with open fires

Peasant families lived in modest wooden houses that usually consisted of a single room containing a stove for heating and cooking. Some households in Samogitia used a traditional 'numas' structure, which featured an open fireplace instead of a stove.

Work

Wealthy Farmers and Economic Transactions

Peasants were economic actors who could earn significant disposable income, sometimes reaching 10 to 20 złoties in a good year by the mid-sixteenth century. Some wealthy farmers even purchased mills or inns using installment plans that could span up to twenty years.

Music

Performers in city inns

In the 16th century, musicians called igrcy sang lighthearted and sometimes ribald songs in city inns, which were heavily criticized and discouraged by the clergy.

At the table

Daily meat consumption

An average laborer on a Polish manor consumed approximately 300g of fatty meat every day.

Getting around

Travel speed for the wealthy on horseback

Wealthier individuals traveled on horseback, which allowed for a faster pace of 30–40 kilometers per day compared to pedestrian or wagon travel.

What it cost

Purchasing power of weekly wages

For one week's wages, a laborer could purchase approximately 100 liters of beer or a pair of shoes, which cost 7 to 8 grossi.