Tsarevna Irina Mikhailovna of Russia

What people wore

Footwear by social class

Ordinary peasant women wore bast shoes made from tree bark or vine twigs, whereas wealthier women wore boots or shoes made from leather, velvet, or brocade with high heels.

Daily life

Smoke and Light in the Home

In most homes, chimneys were not used until the 18th century, so smoke from the stove often exited through a hole in the roof or simply filled the living space. For artificial light during dark winters, families used luchiny, which were thin splinters of resinous pine burned in a metal holder.

Work

Common Trades of City Dwellers

Urban workers were often classified by their crafts, including food producers like bakers, metal workers, tanners, and various service providers like bathhouse attendants and porters. Many individuals combined multiple trades to survive, especially given the seasonal nature of their work and the economic impact of the Time of Troubles.

Music

Social Winter Gatherings or Posidelki

During the long winter evenings, young people gathered in homes for social parties called posidelki, where they spent their time spinning flax and singing folk songs. These gatherings were also common settings for match-making.

At the table

Kvass was the most common daily drink

Common folk drank kvass, a fermented beverage made from rye or barley malt, daily. Alcohol such as beer and honey-based drinks were also consumed, though rural residents often produced these at home, while urban tavern customers spent an average of about 3 rubles and 66 kopecks annually on drinks.

Getting around

Difficult Travel on Primitive Russian Roads

Travelers faced extremely poor roads that were often blocked by fallen trees and deep mud, leading to violent jolting of carriages. Due to these conditions, even wealthy people frequently traveled on horseback or waited for winter to use sleighs.

What it cost

Costs of basic food staples

Prices for basic goods included one kopeck for a kilogram of bread, while a chicken cost three kopecks, the same price as 50 eggs or 1.5 kilograms of butter.