Q5673783

What people wore

Costly and Heavy Headpieces

In the 16th century, women in some regions wore elaborate, heavy headpieces made of linen or crepe that were so costly and uncomfortable they petitioned for them to be reformed. These headpieces were so large and oddly shaped that observers likened them to baskets of cherries or ships sailing with full wind.

Daily life

Cooking and dining in the kitchen

The kitchen was the heart of the home, where families gathered around a low fireplace to cook, eat, and socialize. Food was often handled with fingers as forks were not yet in general use.

Work

Women's daily wages were strictly limited

In mid-16th-century Requena, women worked the same sun-to-sun hours as men but were paid only half a real (17 maravedíes) daily, regardless of the season.

Music

Popular dances and their instruments

The zarabanda was a popular but controversial folk dance accompanied by the guitar, tambourine, and castanets, and was often banned for its provocative nature. A common Spanish proverb of the time stated that there is no wedding without a tambourine (tamborino).

At the table

Wine and simple carob drinks

Wine was considered a fundamental, energy-providing beverage for all, though commoners often drank poor-quality or adulterated versions compared to the wealthy. Aloja, a drink made from carob fruits, was another popular, rudimentary beverage served in taverns.

Getting around

Daily travel distances on horseback

Travelers typically covered four to six leagues per day on horseback, with exceptional days reaching seven or eight leagues. A league was a unit of distance used in Spain during this period.

What it cost

Daily wages in Seville in the 1550s

A casual laborer in Seville typically earned about 74 maravedíes per day during the 1550s.