Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor

Getting around

Most people traveled primarily on foot

For the majority of people, traveling was primarily done on foot, with most individuals covering 20 to 35 kilometers per day depending on the terrain.

Daily life

Heated living spaces with limited light

The Stube was the only heated room in many homes, featuring small windows that limited light and a stove often fueled from outside to prevent smoke.

What people wore

Strict dress codes governed social class

In the 16th century, strict dress codes enforced social hierarchy, often forbidding peasants from wearing elite symbols like feathers on their hats or the color red.

Music

Boisterous folk-style dancing at festivals

During feast days and festivals, dances often included boisterous styles like the branle, which involved circles or lines of people jumping and kicking until the musician was exhausted.

At the table

Common Staples: Porridge and Bread

The daily diet of ordinary families centered on cereal-based porridges made of oats, millet, or barley, often prepared with water, milk, or lard. Bread, typically made from rye or oats, was another primary staple, sometimes baked into durable flatbreads that could be softened with water.