Mariana of Austria

At the table

Simple diet of the common people

Ordinary families typically relied on simple fare such as porridges made from oats, barley, or legumes, while meat was a rare luxury reserved for special occasions.

What people wore

Women's Daily and Festive Headwear

Peasant women often wore their hair in two braids pinned with a broad needle and kept a straw hat with a black border on their heads throughout the entire day, even during meals. For Sundays and feasts, women upgraded their attire with lace-trimmed caps and felt hats.

Getting around

Walking was the primary mode of travel

Most ordinary people traveled exclusively on foot, typically covering 20 to 35 kilometers per day depending on the terrain.

What it cost

Mercenary wages and food prices

A mercenary's monthly wage was 4 Gulden, which had to cover food and equipment for himself and his family. A pound of bacon cost 6 Kreuzer, while a pound of butter cost 1 Batzen.

Music

Musical instruments at noble gatherings

At social gatherings of the nobility, people entertained themselves by dancing, playing games, and performing music on pairs of instruments such as the lute and viol, or cornetto and drum.

Daily life

Kitchen as shared living space

The kitchen served as the primary living and heating space in farmhouses, and at night, it was common to shelter poultry indoors to keep them safe.