Francis I, Duke of Nevers

What people wore

Safe storage for peasant coins

For security, men often wrapped their coins in the long, split tails of their linen chemises.

Daily life

Home lighting and water collection

Common dwellings featured floors of beaten earth covered with straw, and interiors were lighted by doors or small, unglazed windows. Water was a heavy burden to collect, with women often carrying it in jugs from distant sources for household use.

Work

Working hours and costs at the Mint

Workers at the Nancy Mint in the 16th century endured long shifts, working from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in winter and from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer. They were also responsible for purchasing their own professional tools, such as hammers and anvils, at their own expense.

Music

Musicians and their earnings

Court musicians known as tabourins often played the flute and drum simultaneously, using one hand for each instrument. The Duke's favorite rebec player, Guillaume Baudet, earned enough to purchase a house in Nancy in 1514.

At the table

Diet of poor vs. wealthy peasants

While wealthier peasants had access to various meats and fruits, poorer families primarily relied on a basic diet of soup, bread, and cheese. They often drank a local beverage known as picotte instead of wine.

Getting around

Daily travel distance for pack animals

In level country, merchant trains using pack animals could cover fifteen to twenty-five miles per day.

What it cost

Cost of a stained-glass window in 1516

In 1516, a stained-glass window featuring the coat of arms of Renée of Bourbon was commissioned from the glazier Nicolas Graxien for a payment of 2 francs.