Sebastian Lubomirski

At the table

Fish and salt preservation

Ordinary diets included fish such as carp and pike, which were often preserved with salt to supplement food supplies beyond the harvest.

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.

Getting around

Common and Noble Modes of Travel

Ordinary people often traveled on foot or in simple carts called kolasa, whereas wealthy nobles frequently traveled on horseback or in carriages known as kolebka, which were suspended on leather straps for comfort.

What it cost

Everyday costs for workers

A pair of shoes cost 7 to 8 grosze, which represented about four days of work for an unskilled laborer. Meat was more expensive, with a large portion of pork costing 18 to 20 grosze, or nearly two weeks of work.

Music

Popular dances in the Renaissance

People in towns like Lublin enjoyed dancing to secular tunes such as Zakłułam się cierniem, which was popular enough to be noted in music collections across Europe.

Daily life

Dim interiors and limited kitchen space

Homes often lacked dedicated kitchens, with cooking performed in a hall or over a central fire, while small windows and expensive lighting made interiors dim.