Maria Antonia of Austria

At the table

Common Drinks: Vinegar Water and Dark Beer

While beer was a standard staple for many, poor women who could not afford wine or other drinks often relied on water mixed with vinegar for hydration. When available, beer was typically top-fermented, dark, and lower in alcohol content than modern varieties.

What people wore

Winter undergarments and petticoats

Women did not wear underpants, relying instead on multiple petticoats to stay warm during winter. Men wore long underpants in the winter that were tied at the belly and ankles.

Getting around

Traveling on foot in the Habsburg Monarchy

Most ordinary people in the Habsburg lands traveled on foot, covering approximately 20 to 35 kilometers per day depending on the terrain.

What it cost

Wages of farm workers

Between 1657 and 1663, a farmhand (Maierknecht) earned an annual wage of 6 gulden and a pair of boots, while a spinner earned 3 gulden and a pair of shoes.

Music

Authorities banned music during crises

Music performances were frequently forbidden by authorities during times of crisis, such as the appearance of a comet in 1681 or during the Turkish wars of 1605.

Daily life

Winter schooling for children

Regular schooling for children was typically only possible during the winter months when agricultural work was less demanding. Often, there was only one classroom with a single teacher who instructed all the children regardless of their different ages.