Laurent de la Baume le Blanc, Lord of la Vallière

What people wore

Daily attire of ordinary women

Ordinary women often wore corsets over a shirt, with a skirt and an apron for daily chores, while their clothing was predominantly colored in black, grey, and red.

Daily life

Water fetching and limited lighting

Water had to be fetched from pumps or rivers through daily manual labor, as there was no modern infrastructure. Lighting was limited and costly, often forcing families to shape their evening routines around the availability of candles or natural light.

Work

Workday schedules and labor patterns

The workday typically lasted from dawn until dusk, with summer hours from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM and winter hours from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Workers often faced a labor-intensive schedule, and those in the building trades were famously noted for being especially restless or turbulent.

Music

Court ballet performances

The courtly ballet was a spectacular performance featuring masked dancers in elaborate costumes, accompanied by a mix of airs and instrumental music.

At the table

Drinking wine instead of dangerous water

Drinking water was often considered unhealthy, so ordinary people preferred to drink diluted wine or piquette, a low-quality drink made from grape pomace.

Getting around

Primary modes of travel were simple

Ordinary people primarily traveled by foot, on horseback, or via water, as roads were frequently unpaved and turned into mud during rain.

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.