Augusto Pedro de Mendóça Rolim de Moura Barreto, 3rd Count of Azambuja

Music

Music in the royal chapel

In the royal chapel, organists sometimes played airs that were considered too tender and voluptuous for the solemnity of church services. Religious ceremonies were spectacles that combined music, incense, and lights to deeply move the kneeling crowds.

At the table

Staple foods of ordinary families

Ordinary families typically ate broa (corn bread), sardines, and soup made of vegetables, potatoes, and beans. Meat and fish were scarce, making sardines a staple for the poor, often rubbed against bread to add flavor.

Daily life

Limited water, hygiene, and cooking facilities

Ordinary households lacked running water and sewage systems, often relying on expensive or difficult water collection methods; hygiene was rudimentary, and many urban dwellings were occupied by multiple families. Heating and lighting were limited, and in many popular homes, cooking was done over three stones rather than on stoves.

What people wore

Gold jewelry in Madeiran peasant dress

In Madeira, well-to-do countrywomen were identified by gold chains, which they wrapped twice around their necks and fastened to the lower part of their bright, sometimes embroidered bodices. For men and women, fine linen shirts were fastened with buttons that were sometimes made of gold.

Getting around

Reliance on River and Coastal Travel

Due to the lack of adequate roads and public transport, river and coastal sea travel were essential, though they were often slow, uncomfortable, and risky. In one recorded instance, a boat trip between Alhandra and Lisbon stalled due to low tide and fog, forcing passengers to wait until midnight to reach their destination.

What it cost

Staple food costs in 1834

In 1834, other affordable food staples in Atalaia included goat meat at 35 réis per arrátel and corn at 300 réis per alqueire.