Johann Kruse

What people wore

Traditional handmade accessories and footwear

Women covered their heads with linen scarves that were decorated with colorful threads and needle embroidery. People also skillfully made everyday shoes from linden or willow bark.

Getting around

Peasant transport duties and distances

Transport duties required peasants to carry correspondence or small items, often walking up to three miles, while trips to distant towns sometimes exceeded eight miles.

At the table

Imported salted herring as a staple

Herring imported from the Netherlands was a crucial staple for ordinary diets, as it could be easily preserved by salting or smoking.

Music

Competitive singing at wedding celebrations

Communal singing was essential at weddings, where guests engaged in apdziedasanas, a competitive and humorous form of improvisational singing between two opposing groups.

Daily life

Schooling and Discipline for Children

Schooling for peasant children included reading, writing, and religion, often supervised by local pastors. In Liepāja, teachers were permitted to use a rod for discipline, though striking children with fists or sticks was prohibited by law.

What it cost

Peasant grain tax payments (1668)

Peasants in the Cēsis bishopric paid annual grain taxes amounting to 30 5/9 bushels, which was calculated as 7 dalers and 57 1/2 groschen.