Anna Alexeevna Romanova

What people wore

Protecting Fine Garments

Valuable clothes were frequently stored in chests under pieces of water mouse skin to protect them from moths and dampness. Such fine garments were strictly reserved for holidays and special occasions.

Daily life

Chimney-less huts and smoky interiors

Ordinary homes were chimney-less huts where smoke exited through a small hole, sometimes shared with poultry and young livestock during winter. Lighting was provided by splinter torches, and windows were often small, shuttered, or covered with bull's bladder.

Work

Demanding agricultural labor cycles

Peasant life revolved around the agricultural calendar, requiring labor on both the lord's fields and their own allotments, with days often starting at 3 or 4 a.m. during the growing season.

Music

Church ban on musical instruments

The Russian Orthodox Church strictly forbade the use of musical instruments in churches, teaching that objects without souls could not praise God. Musical instruments were considered appropriate only for secular settings and private feasts, rather than religious worship.

At the table

Everyday kvass and hangover remedies

Kvass, a fermented beverage made from rye or barley, was a daily staple for people of all social classes. When feeling unwell, especially after drinking, Russians consumed a specific dish called pokhmelye, made from chopped cold mutton, pickles, spices, vinegar, and brine.

Getting around

Animal-drawn transport in 17th-century Russia

In the 17th century, there were no railways or steamships, so travelers relied on horses and animal-drawn transport such as carriages, carts, and sledges. During the winter, sledges were the preferred vehicle for travel, even for weddings or social visits.

What it cost

Food prices in mid-17th century Moscow

In Moscow during the mid-17th century, a chicken cost 3 kopecks, while a kilogram of bread, pork, oil, or sturgeon also cost approximately 1 kopeck and 3 kopecks, respectively.