Łukasz Mielżyński

At the table

High daily peasant beer consumption

In the 16th century, Polish peasants consumed substantial amounts of beer, often drinking between 1 and 1.5 liters per day.

What people wore

Expensive żupan costs for wealthy burghers

Wealthy townspeople owned multiple żupans, often valued between 20 and 50 złotys, with the most expensive pieces reaching up to 300 złotys.

Getting around

Common travel methods and daily speeds

Ordinary people traveled mainly on foot, covering 20–25 km per day, or by horse-drawn carts at 25–30 km per day. Noblemen typically traveled on horseback to show their status, achieving 30–40 km per day.

What it cost

Cost of Bread and Shoes

Basic items were affordable: bread cost less than one grosz, and a pair of shoes ranged from 9 to 24 grosze in the 17th century. In 1671, the price of a pair of shoes reached 19.1 grosze.

Music

Stryjanka dance at home

The stryjanka dance, performed at home to the accompaniment of a violin, consisted of a stately march followed by a lively mazurka.

Daily life

Home-based nobility education

Children of the nobility were often educated at home, with lessons sometimes including physical training like throwing spears or archery, while girls were trained in household management, sewing, and embroidery to prepare for their future roles as wives and mothers. Formal education was often tailored to the child's age, and parents were warned against using excessive force, as it could cause the child to lose their presence of mind.