Sébastien, Duke of Penthièvre

What people wore

Peasant women's head covering

Peasant women in the countryside wore a simple cloth over their heads to protect against bad weather, often folding it to create a hood under the chin.

Daily life

Limited Availability of Primary Schooling

Primary education was rare and highly localized, often funded by individual patrons or local church officials; for instance, a school in Bauzemont was supported by an annual endowment of four résaux of wheat. Instruction was not widespread, and specialized secondary or higher education usually required travel outside the duchy, such as to Paris.

Work

Typical peasant workday in summer

During the summer, the workday for peasants started as early as 3 am and lasted until dusk, following the agrarian calendar.

Music

Chapel music and singer wages

Choral singers at the Saint-Georges collegiate church in Nancy were well-compensated, with annual wages reaching ninety-six francs. By 1530, the ducal chapel included regular performances of the Passion mass, which the Duke had founded to be celebrated every Friday.

At the table

Diet of poor vs. wealthy peasants

While wealthier peasants had access to various meats and fruits, poorer families primarily relied on a basic diet of soup, bread, and cheese. They often drank a local beverage known as picotte instead of wine.

Getting around

Daily distance for pack animals

In level country, pack animals carrying heavy loads typically covered 15 to 25 miles in a single day.

What it cost

Cost of shoes

The cost of shoemaking, specifically a pair of shoes, ranged from 0.6 to 1.34 sols tournois during the 16th century.