Bogislaw X, Duke of Pomerania

What people wore

Popularity of slitted clothing

Slitting sleeves and clothes to reveal contrasting linings or shirts underneath became a very popular trend in the early 16th century. This style was adopted by various social classes as a touch of flirtation and intimacy.

Daily life

No formal schooling for rural children

Rural children did not attend formal schools; instead, their childhood was short and primarily focused on learning farm work through games and assisting their parents. Many children played with self-made wooden or clay toys, or simply used natural objects like sand, stones, and water.

Work

Wealthy Farmers and Economic Transactions

Peasants were economic actors who could earn significant disposable income, sometimes reaching 10 to 20 złoties in a good year by the mid-sixteenth century. Some wealthy farmers even purchased mills or inns using installment plans that could span up to twenty years.

Music

A cross-European dance hit

A dance title recorded in 1540, Zakłułam się cierniem (I pricked myself with a thorn), was so popular it appeared in musical tablatures across Western Europe.

At the table

Daily meat consumption

An average laborer on a Polish manor consumed approximately 300g of fatty meat every day.

Getting around

Travel speed for the wealthy on horseback

Wealthier individuals traveled on horseback, which allowed for a faster pace of 30–40 kilometers per day compared to pedestrian or wagon travel.

What it cost

Purchasing power of weekly wages

For one week's wages, a laborer could purchase approximately 100 liters of beer or a pair of shoes, which cost 7 to 8 grossi.