Alexei I of Russia

What people wore

Footwear by social class

Ordinary peasant women wore bast shoes made from tree bark or vine twigs, whereas wealthier women wore boots or shoes made from leather, velvet, or brocade with high heels.

Daily life

Smoke and Light in the Home

In most homes, chimneys were not used until the 18th century, so smoke from the stove often exited through a hole in the roof or simply filled the living space. For artificial light during dark winters, families used luchiny, which were thin splinters of resinous pine burned in a metal holder.

Work

Non-stop Harvest Labor

During the intense harvest season in late summer, work continued seven days a week, often lasting from dawn until dusk and sometimes continuing by moonlight or torchlight to ensure the crop was saved. This period of extreme physical exertion was a constant struggle for survival for the serf families.

Music

Social Winter Gatherings or Posidelki

During the long winter evenings, young people gathered in homes for social parties called posidelki, where they spent their time spinning flax and singing folk songs. These gatherings were also common settings for match-making.

At the table

Oat flour tolokno was a daily staple

Ordinary people frequently ate tolokno, a simple dish made by mixing oat flour with water, salt, and sometimes berries or honey. It was a staple, especially on fasting days.

Getting around

Carrying Supplies for Long Journeys

Because inns were rare, travelers were advised to carry essential supplies including an axe, fire-starting equipment, a cooking pot, and food for the entire duration of the journey. In the 16th and 17th centuries, many travelers were forced to camp under the open sky along riverbanks.

What it cost

Monthly earnings for skilled workers

In the mid-17th century, a stonemason or carpenter in Moscow typically earned between 20 and 40 kopecks per month for a 12-hour workday.