Ivan V of Russia

At the table

Daily diet of cabbage, porridge, and bread

Ordinary families relied heavily on cabbage soup (shchi), porridge, and black rye bread, often supplemented by seasonal mushrooms, berries, and vegetables like turnips or cucumbers. Meat was consumed less frequently due to numerous religious fasts, and the pungent aroma of garlic and onion was characteristic of their daily meals.

What people wore

Protecting Fine Garments

Valuable clothes were frequently stored in chests under pieces of water mouse skin to protect them from moths and dampness. Such fine garments were strictly reserved for holidays and special occasions.

Getting around

Animal-drawn transport in 17th-century Russia

In the 17th century, there were no railways or steamships, so travelers relied on horses and animal-drawn transport such as carriages, carts, and sledges. During the winter, sledges were the preferred vehicle for travel, even for weddings or social visits.

What it cost

Cost of footwear

In the late 17th century, a pair of fine morocco leather boots cost 1 ruble, while simpler leather shoes were significantly cheaper.

Music

Church ban on musical instruments

The Russian Orthodox Church strictly forbade the use of musical instruments in churches, teaching that objects without souls could not praise God. Musical instruments were considered appropriate only for secular settings and private feasts, rather than religious worship.

Daily life

Chimney-less huts and smoky interiors

Ordinary homes were chimney-less huts where smoke exited through a small hole, sometimes shared with poultry and young livestock during winter. Lighting was provided by splinter torches, and windows were often small, shuttered, or covered with bull's bladder.