Maximilian Thomas Erzherzog von Österreich

At the table

Beer as the daily beverage

Beer was the everyday drink for most people, whereas wine was largely reserved for festivities, formal occasions, or as a component of wages for court staff.

What people wore

Women's Daily and Festive Headwear

Peasant women often wore their hair in two braids pinned with a broad needle and kept a straw hat with a black border on their heads throughout the entire day, even during meals. For Sundays and feasts, women upgraded their attire with lace-trimmed caps and felt hats.

Getting around

Difficult road conditions caused frequent repairs

Travelers faced rough, unpaved roads where wagon axles often required frequent mechanical adjustments during a single trip.

What it cost

Cost of a pair of shoes

A soldier's shoes with a simple sole cost 5 Batzen, while those with a double sole cost 7 Batzen.

Music

Musical instruments at noble gatherings

At social gatherings of the nobility, people entertained themselves by dancing, playing games, and performing music on pairs of instruments such as the lute and viol, or cornetto and drum.

Daily life

Traditional open-fire smoke kitchens

In the 17th century, kitchens featured open fire pits where smoke blackened the room; food was prepared in iron or brass pots suspended over the fire using a metal support called a Drudenfuß.