Alexander Charles Vasa

At the table

High daily peasant beer consumption

In the 16th century, Polish peasants consumed substantial amounts of beer, often drinking between 1 and 1.5 liters per day.

What people wore

Sumptuary laws restricted city clothing

In 1613, city authorities strictly forbade townspeople from wearing silk robes, expensive furs, and costly, vividly colored morocco leather shoes.

Getting around

Splendor and challenges of noble travel

Magnates displayed their status through massive caravans, sometimes using hundreds of horses and even exotic animals like camels to carry their extensive possessions. For security, travelers often had to hire armed guards or use oaths to ensure the reliability of hired transport helpers.

What it cost

Wages for Workers in 17th Century Warsaw

An ordinary worker in Warsaw earned 3 to 4 grosze per day, while a bricklayer, considered elite, could earn up to 16 grosze daily.

Music

Carnival sleigh rides and masked balls

Noble carnival celebrations included sleigh rides from mansion to mansion with musicians playing dance music, culminating in masked balls where noblemen dressed as peasants or Gypsies.

Daily life

Shared kitchens and street food

Cooking and heating often used the same domestic heat source, and in wealthier homes, kitchens were frequently located in separate buildings or far from living rooms to reduce heat and smoke. In cities, some households shared large kitchens, and people could buy prepared foods like fried liver or żur from street vendors.