Claudia Felicitas of Austria

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

Common instruments for rural dance

In 17th-century rural areas, the most common instruments for dance music were the bagpipe, the hurdy-gurdy, and the fiddle.

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

Using horses and carriages for long trips

Travelers often used horses, carriages, or carts, and on long journeys they utilized postal stations located about every 25 kilometers to change horses and find lodging.

What it cost

Wages of farm workers

Between 1657 and 1663, a farmhand (Maierknecht) earned an annual wage of 6 gulden and a pair of boots, while a spinner earned 3 gulden and a pair of shoes.