In the news1707–1710
Plague pandemic of 1707–1710
A devastating plague pandemic swept across Poland between 1707 and 1710, claiming 9,000 lives in Poznań alone and causing the local authorities in Lublin to execute grave robbers accused of spreading the disease.
Getting around
Travel Methods for Different Social Classes
Ordinary people typically traveled by foot or in simple carts called kolasa, while the wealthy used horses, private carriages, or, by the late 18th century, stagecoaches on main routes.
At the table
Pickled cabbage in tree trunks
Cabbage was a dietary staple for ordinary families, often pickled in hollowed-out tree trunks to preserve it for long periods.
What people wore
Prized festive headscarf knots
Peasant women wore delicate, thin, and richly decorated festive headscarves, which they carefully removed after church to avoid undoing their intricate, highly-prized knots.
Music
Carnival Sleigh Rides and Masquerade Balls
During the carnival season, noblemen organized sleigh rides from mansion to mansion, accompanied by musicians playing dance music; these festivities included balls where guests sometimes wore costumes of peasants, Jews, and Gypsies.
Daily life
Dining customs and table utensils
People ate primarily from shared wooden bowls using their fingers or wooden spoons, as individual plates and forks were rare; guests were often expected to bring their own knife and spoon to a feast. Glassware and fine ceramics only began to replace traditional metal cups and dishes during the 18th century.