Feodor III of Russia

At the table

Daily diet of cabbage, porridge, and bread

Ordinary families relied heavily on cabbage soup (shchi), porridge, and black rye bread, often supplemented by seasonal mushrooms, berries, and vegetables like turnips or cucumbers. Meat was consumed less frequently due to numerous religious fasts, and the pungent aroma of garlic and onion was characteristic of their daily meals.

What people wore

Footwear and Winter Warmth

Peasant footwear was typically made from natural materials like tree bark or vine twigs, though some people used leather soles tied with belts. During winter, both men and women relied on sheepskin or hare fur coats to stay warm.

Getting around

Challenges of 17th-century Russian travel

Travel was slow, often taking weeks, and due to a lack of inns, travelers had to carry their own food, axes, and fire-making supplies to camp outdoors. Wealthy travelers often traveled by post-horses, changing them at stations, though they frequently faced shortages of horses or corrupt officials demanding bribes.

What it cost

Monthly earnings and subsistence in 17th-century Moscow

In mid-17th century Moscow, a worker such as a mason or carpenter earned roughly 20 to 40 kopecks per month, while 11 silver kopecks served as the monthly subsistence minimum.

Music

Church ban on musical instruments

The Russian Orthodox Church strictly forbade the use of musical instruments in churches, teaching that objects without souls could not praise God. Musical instruments were considered appropriate only for secular settings and private feasts, rather than religious worship.

Daily life

Home and monastery-based education

Children were typically educated at home, focusing on reading, writing, and counting, with some instruction provided by monasteries. Wealthier families also began to introduce foreign languages like Latin and Polish in the 17th century.