Augustus, Elector of Saxony

At the table

Pork was a preferred, expensive luxury

Pork was the most prized meat for ordinary families, often costing one-third more than beef in the late medieval period. While commoners ate meat, it was particularly valued as a sign of prosperity and was often eaten during holidays or festivals.

What people wore

Strict sumptuary laws restricted attire

Sumptuary laws from 1530 strictly forbade common country folk from wearing gold, silver, pearls, silk, ostrich feathers, or slashed clothing to maintain social distinctions. Furthermore, peasant women were limited to using simple fur types like lamb or goat, while any elaborate decorations or expensive accessories were officially prohibited.

Getting around

Slow pace of travel

Travel was slow and unpredictable, with average travelers covering only 30 to 45 kilometers per day, though some could reach up to 80 kilometers. Journeys were often delayed by poor road conditions, weather, or the need to stop for horse fodder every 20 to 40 kilometers.

What it cost

Meat prices and daily wages

A daily wage for a laborer in Augsburg was equivalent to the value of 5 to 6 pounds of the best meat. In Bavaria, one pound of the best beef cost 2 pfennige, while a day laborer earned 18 pfennige daily.

Music

Rural Music and Dance Instruments

Travelers often brought diverse instruments to rural areas, including the dulcimer, hurdy-gurdy, shawm, and bagpipes to accompany community festivities. In these settings, people often danced in circles, sometimes singing traditional songs without instrumental accompaniment.

Daily life

Water access and dense housing in Kassel

In the mid-16th century, Kassel's streets featured running streams, such as the Drusel, which provided an accessible water source throughout the city. Houses were densely built, often utilizing timber-frame construction.