Princess Maria Elisabeth of Saxony

At the table

Preserving Cabbage in Tree Trunks

Middling townspeople often stored sauerkraut in hollowed-out tree trunks to preserve it for winter.

What people wore

Essential Peasant Clothing Materials

Peasant clothing for both men and women relied on basic, durable materials like linen shirts, wool garments, and sheepskin coats for warmth. Women often wore aprons and wrapped headcloths, while footwear varied from simple leather shoes to boots.

Getting around

Common modes of transportation and travel speeds

Travelers used various wheeled vehicles, such as carriages for the wealthy and simple carts called kolasa for commoners, while poorer people generally traveled on foot. In the 18th century, the expansion of the postal system allowed stagecoaches to travel 60 to 100 kilometers per day on main roads.

What it cost

Uniform cost for a militia guard

In Toruń during the mid-18th century, a city militia guard had to save about 1 złoty polski to purchase missing parts of his uniform.

Music

Stryjanka dance etiquette at home

In the dance known as Stryjanka, which was accompanied by the violin at home, respectable people often only performed the first march-like part, leaving the lively second half to others.

Daily life

Schooling for children

Formal schooling was rare for peasant children because they had to work on farms, though some attended schools in larger villages during winter. Elite boys could attend new institutions like the Collegium Nobilium, which taught natural sciences and Polish alongside Latin.