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Andrzej Potocki

1554 – 1613

11 facts1 source

Facts and their sources

  • Born1554or 1552 · 1553Records disagree1 source
  • TitleDeputy to the Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealthnot verified1 source
  • Died1613or 1609Records disagree1 source
  • FatherMikołaj Potockinot verified1 source
  • MotherAnna Czermińskanot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 1554

    Born

  2. 1613

    Dies

During his lifetime

He lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1550s · Andrzej is born

In the news1558

First postal service and industrial growth

In 1558, the first Polish postal service was established, significantly improving communication infrastructure for the country. This period also saw the development of local artillery manufacturing, with 178 workshops employing 1,100 craftsmen.

At the table

Beer as a daily staple

Beer was the most common everyday drink, often served as soup with breadcrumbs or given to children and pregnant women for strength.

What people wore

Valuation of peasant clothing sets

A full set of clothing for an ordinary Ukrainian peasant was valued at 26.5 zlotys for men and 52 zlotys for women, with the women's set including a shirt, skirt, and corset. Those who possessed such a complete set were considered wealthy by their community.

Getting around

Security for goods in transit

A merchant in 1586 paid four guilders to hire two Tartars to transport his goods, reflecting common practice to ensure security during travel.

What it cost

Purchasing power of weekly wages

For one week's wages, a laborer could purchase approximately 100 liters of beer or a pair of shoes, which cost 7 to 8 grossi.

Music

Bagpipes at festivals and processions

Bagpipes were widely enjoyed across social classes at inns, weddings, and parties, and they were also played during public events such as military marches and religious processions like Corpus Christi.

Daily life

Education and literacy expectations

Schooling was highly valued by the nobility to prepare children for public service, and by the second half of the 16th century, commoners' children made up over half of the students at the Krakow Academy. For those who could not read or write, the label of idiot or simpleton was commonly used, regardless of status.