Teodósio II, Duke of Braganza

Music

Enslaved Musicians in Noble Households

Royal and noble households kept enslaved musicians, such as a group of eleven enslaved shawm players in the Duke of Bragança's chapel in 1564.

At the table

Dietary staples of the era

Bread, wine, and meat formed the dietary foundation, though commoners mostly relied on bread and fish, with less access to prestigious meat.

Daily life

Water Access for Ordinary Households

Ordinary households often used wells or cisterns for water, while many others relied on public fountains and carriers who brought water uphill to their homes. Backyard wells in some areas allowed families to collect their own water, avoiding the need to go outside for supplies.

What people wore

Women's homely clothing and the baju jacket

Inside the home, women often went barefoot and wore a simple short jacket called a baju, which covered them only to the navel. Men frequently preferred this natural, homely look over elaborate festive clothing, which they felt detracted from a woman's true shape.

Getting around

Professional goods transport specialists

Professional carriers known as almocreves, almoqueires, or recoveiros were responsible for long-distance transport of goods between the interior and the coast.

What it cost

Cost of Poultry in the 1500s

In the 16th century, chickens were a high-value food item, with each one costing 30 réis.