Luís of Portugal, Duke of Beja

Music

Music on board ship expeditions

Long-distance maritime expeditions, such as Pedro Álvares Cabral's 1500 voyage, included musicians playing instruments like trumpets, drums, flutes, and bagpipes.

At the table

Common drinks and the poor's fish

Water and wine were the primary drinks, and in cities, water carriers sold fresh water using carts or jars to those who needed it. Sardines were a staple for the poor, often serving as a common alternative to more expensive fish or meat.

Daily life

Street food in 16th-century Lisbon

People of limited means in Lisbon purchased a variety of ready-to-eat foods from street vendors, including fried fish, grilled sardines, boiled tripe, and sweets like rice pudding and marmalade.

What people wore

Feast Day Formal Attire

On feast days, men wore breeches, vests, and jackets, often accessorized with large silver buckles on their shoes and breeches. If they did not own this formal attire, they borrowed it from others.

Getting around

Travel Methods and Social Class Restrictions

Travelers commonly used horses or mules for transport, while ordinary people typically traveled on foot or by donkey because riding a mule was a status symbol reserved for nobility, clergy, and military leaders until the 16th century.

What it cost

Fruits and sweets as rare luxuries

Special treats like fruit and sweets, including pastries called farteis, were considered luxuries for common people, typically enjoyed only during festivals and religious holidays.