Barbara Blomberg

Getting around

Slow pace of travel

Travel was slow and unpredictable, with average travelers covering only 30 to 45 kilometers per day, though some could reach up to 80 kilometers. Journeys were often delayed by poor road conditions, weather, or the need to stop for horse fodder every 20 to 40 kilometers.

Daily life

Emergence of village schools in Hesse

Before the Reformation, village schools were reportedly non-existent in Hesse, but by 1556, visitors noted the establishment of seven village schools in the central region of the principality. Martin Luther emphasized that schools were necessary for both boys and girls to learn to conduct the affairs of life.

What people wore

Women's Stockings and Garters

Peasant women wore stockings that reached above the knee, which were held in place by garters tied above the calf. These were often made from wool and cut at a 45-degree angle to the grain to ensure they were stretchable and fit tightly.

Music

Popular Wedding and Civic Musicians

In German cities around 1500, a common ensemble for weddings was the pipe and drum, with performers sometimes earning half a guilder for their services. These musicians were frequently hired alongside or to alternate with town pipers (Stadtpfeifer) who played brass instruments like shawms and trombones.

At the table

Pork was a preferred, expensive luxury

Pork was the most prized meat for ordinary families, often costing one-third more than beef in the late medieval period. While commoners ate meat, it was particularly valued as a sign of prosperity and was often eaten during holidays or festivals.