Frederick Casimir Kettler

At the table

Peas and beans as daily food

Field beans and grey peas were essential everyday foods, and people believed that eating all the peas served at a New Year's feast would prevent them from crying in the coming year.

What people wore

Peasant self-sufficiency in clothing production

Ordinary peasants typically wore handmade garments, and women were expected to know how to weave their own clothing to avoid criticism from others. Peasants also avoided purchasing clothing, preferring to create everything themselves.

Getting around

Slow overland travel between towns

Traveling between towns was slow, and a trip from Vilnius to Kaunas, which now takes less than 1.5 hours, required a full day at the time.

Work

Grueling Daily Work Routine

A typical workday began before dawn and lasted until deep into the night, often continuing by moonlight due to a lack of lamps. Work was grueling, and laborers could be punished with 10 to 20 lashes for minor transgressions or failing to work fast enough.

Music

Popular 17th-century village bagpipes

The bagpipe was a common instrument in 17th-century villages, often played with great skill in two voices.

Daily life

Winter Schooling for Children

Peasant children in Vidzeme learned reading, writing, numeracy, and religion in school, which operated from the end of November until March.