Pedro Téllez-Girón

What people wore

Cost of a garment in Cádiz

In 1554, a pair of men's breeches documented in a dowry agreement in Cádiz was valued at 8 reales.

Daily life

Multipurpose household furniture

Homes often lacked specialized rooms, meaning the same piece of furniture could serve as a seat during the day and be converted into a bed at night.

Work

Seasonal Wage Fluctuations

Agricultural wages were seasonal; in Valladolid, a laborer could earn 60 maravedis a day during the summer, which was double the 30 maravedis earned in winter.

Music

The Vihuela in Everyday Life

The vihuela de mano, a six-stringed instrument resembling a modern guitar, was widely played in educated households for entertainment, rather than being restricted to royal courts.

At the table

Common drinks in Habsburg Spain

People rarely drank water due to poor quality and health risks, preferring wine that was often diluted or spiced. Another common drink in taverns was aloja, a rudimentary beverage made from carob fruits.

Getting around

Travel was by mule or horse

Ordinary people relied primarily on mules and horses to travel between towns, as wheeled vehicles were generally not used for long-distance passenger travel during this period.

What it cost

Daily worker income and living costs

A typical household in 16th-century Malaga, with a man earning 2 to 2.5 reales per day, found it difficult to survive due to rising costs.