Maria Judith von Liechtenstein in Feldsberg

At the table

Staples of the ordinary diet

Ordinary families relied on gruels made from millet, oats, or other cereals, and black bread often served with cheese or onions was a staple for working people.

What people wore

Functional linen undergarments and V-shaped silhouettes

Ordinary people wore linen shirts as their base layer, which served as both underwear and nightwear. For both men and women, clothing aimed to create a fashionable V-shaped silhouette by using diagonal seams and higher waistlines.

Getting around

Slow journeys and safety risks

Travel was slow; a journey by carriage from Kutná Hora to Vienna in 1621 took eight days, while a shorter trip from Prague to Dresden could take several days. Safety was a major concern, as travelers frequently faced the threat of robbery on these poorly maintained routes.

What it cost

Relative cost of footwear and meat

The price of a pair of shoes rose significantly, and in the years 1618–1620, it cost the same as 5.6 kg of meat.

Music

Town hall tower music schedules

Prague city trombonists were employed by the council to play pious motets from town hall towers, performing twice daily in spring and summer and once daily in autumn and winter.

Daily life

Shared meals and water access

Families typically ate together from a single large dish using wooden spoons. While wealthy houses sometimes had their own wells, urban residents often relied on public fountains or waterworks.