Marie Elisabeth Gräfin von Sinzendorf

What people wore

Winter undergarments and petticoats

Women did not wear underpants, relying instead on multiple petticoats to stay warm during winter. Men wore long underpants in the winter that were tied at the belly and ankles.

Daily life

Winter schooling for children

Regular schooling for children was typically only possible during the winter months when agricultural work was less demanding. Often, there was only one classroom with a single teacher who instructed all the children regardless of their different ages.

Work

Demanding work terms and daily travel distances

Servants and maids typically committed to one-year employment terms; if they quit early without good cause, they often forfeited all their wages. Messengers on foot were expected to walk between 25 and 40 kilometres a day to deliver news and correspondence.

Music

Music by social status in Moravia

In 17th-century Moravia, secular music was divided by social status: the nobility enjoyed entertainment sonatas and dances, while citizens listened to town pipers known as Thurner.

At the table

Grain Porridges and Legumes Dominated Daily Meals

Most ordinary families relied heavily on a grain-based diet, frequently eating porridges made from oats, barley, or millet, and consuming legumes like peas, beans, and lentils. Meat was rarely eaten, and when served, it was often boiled in soup to make the most of the ingredients.

Getting around

Travel times between towns

A journey of 30 kilometers between St. Pölten and Melk typically took 5 to 7 hours under good weather conditions.

What it cost

Price of bread in Vienna

Between 1650 and 1674, the price of bread in Vienna ranged from 1.27 to 2.82 Kreuzer per kilogram.