Marie of Prussia, Margravine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth

Getting around

Carriages and walking were the primary travel methods

In the late 16th century, people typically traveled by horse-drawn carriage or on foot, with foot travel and heavy carts covering roughly 25 km per day. Carriages were often four-wheeled and could be covered, though road conditions were frequently poor and could include deep sand or mud.

Daily life

Simple wooden homes with hearths

Ordinary homes were built of wood with straw roofs, sometimes featuring a namus, a dark house heated by an open hearth with stones.

What people wore

Expensive Fur Coats and Livestock Prices

Wealthier peasants in the 16th century wore expensive sheepskin coats trimmed with beaver fur and suede, costing as much as 1.5 kopa grossi, while basic sheepskin coats cost 40 grossi. For context, a high-quality sermėga (coat) priced at 40 grossi was equivalent to the cost of two pigs or two sheep.

Music

Ducal instrumental music in Königsberg

At the ducal court in Königsberg, instrumental ensembles performed music using instruments such as lutes, trumpets, and fiddles.

At the table

Meager diet of the rural peasantry

Ordinary peasants often relied on a meager diet consisting of black bread and porridge, frequently eaten without any added fat, while drinking plain water.