Teresa Lubomirska

At the table

Mushrooms as a Common Food Source

People frequently ate mushrooms gathered in forests, including species growing on trees that were dried for preservation. While travelers from France were afraid to eat these due to fear of poisoning, they were a common and accepted food source in Poland.

What people wore

Valuable Noblewoman's Clothing

Seventeenth-century noblewomen's wills show that items like fur-lined coats, velvet dresses, and specific headgear such as caps and wimples were vital assets, sometimes valued higher than silver or jewelry.

Getting around

Magnate processions traveled slowly to show wealth

Magnates traveled in grand processions with dozens of wagons and hundreds of horses to display their wealth and status. The travel pace for such a group was typically around 25 to 30 kilometers per day.

What it cost

Wages for Workers in 17th Century Warsaw

An ordinary worker in Warsaw earned 3 to 4 grosze per day, while a bricklayer, considered elite, could earn up to 16 grosze daily.

Music

Carnival Sleigh Rides and Dancing

Noblemen hosted multi-day carnival sleigh rides between mansions, traveling from house to house with musicians to feast, drink, and dance while often wearing masks and costumes.

Daily life

Wooden homes and traditional heating methods

Common houses were built of wood, and peasant homes often featured open-hearth fires that released smoke directly into the room through gaps in the roof. Wealthier residences and townhouses might have stoves or fireplaces with chimneys, and some even had separate kitchens away from main living areas.