Jean Béraud de la Haye Rion

What people wore

Cost of Footwear

Shoes for men were a significant expense, as they could cost twice as much as those worn by women.

Daily life

Limited and basic primary schooling

Primary schooling was often sporadic or unavailable, usually consisting only of basic reading, writing, and catechism taught by a priest or vicar.

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

Everyday musical tools and maintenance

Portable violins called pochettes were used by dance masters to teach dance lessons in homes. Harpsichords in palaces required regular maintenance, where staff spent one-third of their time just removing wax drippings from candles.

At the table

Meat and Drink Habits of Families

Ordinary families rarely ate fresh meat and instead relied on salted pork to flavor their vegetable soups. Drinking water was often considered unsafe, so people frequently consumed piquette, a thin beverage made from the remnants of grapes or fruit, or local cider.

Getting around

Barque de poste canal travel

In 1674, the barque de poste service was introduced, allowing passengers to travel from Toulouse to Castelnaudary in one day. The journey included scheduled stops for meals and overnight rests.

What it cost

Medical treatment cost versus cutlery price

A medical enema in the 17th century cost 15 sous, which was the same price as a gross of small whistle knives.