John II Casimir Vasa

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.

Daily life

Home-based nobility education

Children of the nobility were often educated at home, with lessons sometimes including physical training like throwing spears or archery, while girls were trained in household management, sewing, and embroidery to prepare for their future roles as wives and mothers. Formal education was often tailored to the child's age, and parents were warned against using excessive force, as it could cause the child to lose their presence of mind.

Work

Winter as the season for hiring staff

The Christmas to Epiphany period served as a major time for hiring new servants, as it was considered a slow season for agricultural work.

Music

Bagpipes at festivals and inns

During festivals and weddings, the bagpipe was a popular instrument played at inns, while gentry and noblemen also enjoyed dancing to it in a spirit of native tradition.

At the table

Staple foods in peasant diets

A peasant diet during this period was primarily based on rye bread, with adults consuming 0.6 to 0.9 kilograms daily, alongside porridge, peas, and cabbage.

Getting around

Splendor and challenges of noble travel

Magnates displayed their status through massive caravans, sometimes using hundreds of horses and even exotic animals like camels to carry their extensive possessions. For security, travelers often had to hire armed guards or use oaths to ensure the reliability of hired transport helpers.

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.