In the news1707–1710
Plague pandemic of 1707–1710
A devastating plague pandemic swept across Poland between 1707 and 1710, claiming 9,000 lives in Poznań alone and causing the local authorities in Lublin to execute grave robbers accused of spreading the disease.
What people wore
Prized festive headscarf knots
Peasant women wore delicate, thin, and richly decorated festive headscarves, which they carefully removed after church to avoid undoing their intricate, highly-prized knots.
Getting around
Travel Methods for Different Social Classes
Ordinary people typically traveled by foot or in simple carts called kolasa, while the wealthy used horses, private carriages, or, by the late 18th century, stagecoaches on main routes.
In the news1709–1710
The Great Winter of 1709
The Great Winter of 1709 brought extreme cold and severe famine to France, marking one of the century's worst economic crises.
Music
Instruments in Inns and Churches
Bagpipes were popular instruments at village and city inns, and in Żywiec, court trumpeters played music from the church tower.
Daily life
Dining customs and table utensils
People ate primarily from shared wooden bowls using their fingers or wooden spoons, as individual plates and forks were rare; guests were often expected to bring their own knife and spoon to a feast. Glassware and fine ceramics only began to replace traditional metal cups and dishes during the 18th century.