Barbara FitzRoy

What people wore

Sunday best for villagers

Ordinary villagers often wore the same daily clothes, while the wealthier among them changed into better garments specifically for Sundays and feast days.

Daily life

Crowded and multi-purpose living spaces

Ordinary homes were often crowded, with a single room used for cooking, eating, sleeping, and child care, requiring furniture to be rearranged throughout the day.

Work

The typical daily work schedule

The working day typically began at sunrise and could last between 8 to 14 hours depending on the season, with significant breaks allowed for meals. Workers often relied on the sound of church bells or horns to signal the start and end of their labor shifts.

Music

The Popular Bourrée Dance

The bourrée was a popular, quick, and joyful dance performed in couples, which originated in regions like Auvergne or the Basque Country.

At the table

Special Occasion Wine Price

Ordinary people bought high-quality wine for special occasions at popular weddings for ten sous per pint.

Getting around

Walking as common travel

Ordinary people, such as peddlers and pilgrims, typically traveled on foot at a pace of 20 to 30 kilometers per day. Walking was so common that travelers frequently wore out a pair of shoes every 15 days.

What it cost

Servant earnings and clothing costs

In 1692, a young servant earned 75 livres per year, but spent over 35 livres on a single wardrobe update that included a secondhand wig.