João I, Duke of Braganza

Music

Enslaved musicians in 16th-century religious processions

Enslaved African musicians, including charameleiros (shawm players), were hired by municipalities in the 16th century to play drums during religious processions, such as those in Arraiolos and Montemor-o-Novo.

At the table

Dietary Staples and Substitutes for Meat

While bread, wine, and soup were staples for ordinary people, meat was considered a luxury, often replaced by vegetables like chickpeas, fava beans, and lentils in their daily diet. Vegetables were typically served boiled as accompaniments in soups or stews rather than eaten raw in salads.

Daily life

Multifunctional living in cramped urban homes

In cities like Lisbon, many modest households lived in narrow, rented rooms where cooking, sleeping, and storage were all compressed into one space. These homes often used wooden partitions, curtains, and benches to make rooms serve multiple purposes throughout the day.

What people wore

The loba: a versatile outer garment

During the early sixteenth century, both men and women wore a garment called the loba, a loose, ankle-length outer robe that concealed the body's natural shape. It was often worn for public, honorable, or mourning ceremonies.

Getting around

Daily travel distances and pace

A hurried group with riding animals could travel about 40 kilometers per day, provided they were not using oxen, which were much slower. Travelers often measured distances in leagues, though these were imprecise and often determined by how many taverns the muleteers wanted to stop at.

What it cost

Price of poultry and meat luxury

In 1499, a chicken was priced at 30 réis, and meat consumption was generally considered a luxury that was not within everyone's reach.