Louis de Saint-Gelais

What people wore

Essential tool pouches on belts

Peasant men wore belts with pouches to carry essential tools, such as sharpening stones or sewing implements.

Daily life

Cooking over an open fire

Families cooked pottage or porridge all day in iron or brass kettles over a central fire on a stone hearth. To keep the smoke from filling the room, some homes used a conical hood or funnel to vent the fire toward the roof.

Work

Working hours and costs at the Mint

Workers at the Nancy Mint in the 16th century endured long shifts, working from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in winter and from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer. They were also responsible for purchasing their own professional tools, such as hammers and anvils, at their own expense.

Music

Musicians and their earnings

Court musicians known as tabourins often played the flute and drum simultaneously, using one hand for each instrument. The Duke's favorite rebec player, Guillaume Baudet, earned enough to purchase a house in Nancy in 1514.

At the table

Drinks and Fasting Days

Common people often drank water or a low-quality fermented drink called picotte, while taverns were important social spaces. During the frequent religious fast days, which numbered up to 150 per year, they relied on river fish or dried sea fish instead of meat.

Getting around

Daily travel distance for pack animals

In level country, merchant trains using pack animals could cover fifteen to twenty-five miles per day.

What it cost

Payment for heraldic work in 1519

In 1519, Nicolas Graxien was paid 22 francs for crafting nine heraldic shields for the duchess's apartments and providing the necessary colors.