Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria

At the table

Creative peasant food substitutions

Peasant families practiced creative food substitutions, using names like false meat soup or false almond cake to describe dishes made from simpler, available ingredients.

What people wore

Weather-protecting Loden cloak with personal initials

For protection against the weather, rural people used a Wetterfleck, a rectangular Loden wool garment with a head opening, which reached the belt in front and the back of the knees in the back. These were often customized with red or green fabric hearts and the owner's initials on the chest.

Getting around

Carriage travel times

Travel was slow and difficult; for example, a journey by carriage between St. Pölten and Melk, a distance of 30 kilometers, took 5 to 7 hours under good weather conditions.

What it cost

Daily wages for laborers

In the late 17th century, day laborers earned about 6 kreuzer for women and up to 18 kreuzer for some skilled laborers like carpenters.

Music

Jewish musicians for all classes

Jewish dance bands were active in Moravia during this century and provided musical entertainment for all social classes.

Daily life

Life in the smoke kitchen

Cooking happened in smoke kitchens where food was prepared over open fires, often sharing space with poultry kept inside at night.