Krzysztof Radziwiłł

What people wore

Cost of a woman's dress

In 1540, a dress known as a suknia cost one and a half Lithuanian groszy, and a bride might include three of these in different colors as part of her dowry.

Daily life

Hygiene and play for wealthy children

Wealthy children received instructions to maintain hygiene, such as brushing their teeth after meals and changing underwear daily, while girls often played with wooden or clay dolls.

Work

The communal harvest tradition of talka

A community tradition called talka required entire families to drop their own urgent work to help with major seasonal harvests on the manor. In return, the host family provided food, drink, dancing, and games for the helpers.

Music

Sutartinės and folk instruments

Traditional sutartinės songs were performed by women, while men played instrumental versions on the kanklės psaltery, skudučiai pan-pipes, and horns.

At the table

Everyday beer and holiday mead

Beer was the most common everyday beverage for people of various social statuses, often brewed at home or in taverns. Mead was also produced and enjoyed, though it was generally less abundant and more associated with holidays or special gatherings than everyday beer consumption.

Getting around

Hiring guards for travel safety

To protect goods while traveling, a merchant in 1586 hired two Tartars for four guilders and required them to swear an oath as a guarantee of safety.

What it cost

Cost of clothes and footwear

In 1582, a new black coat cost 40 groschen, while a pair of shoes was priced at 12 groschen.