Marie de Foix

What people wore

Essential tool pouches on belts

Peasant men wore belts with pouches to carry essential tools, such as sharpening stones or sewing implements.

Daily life

The rise of village schools

In the early 16th century, public authorities began to prioritize primary instruction, such as when the municipality of Morhange established a school in 1517. Households sometimes provided initial learning, and a home for teaching children was donated in Dieulouard in 1504.

Work

Female roles at the Nancy Mint

At the Nancy Mint, female workers known as tailleresses were specifically employed to trim excess metal from coin blanks to ensure they reached the correct weight. This task was frequently performed by the wives or daughters of the male minters.

Music

Popular carnival dance at court

The Morisca was the most popular dance at the court of Lorraine, frequently performed by both men and women during the carnival season in costume.

At the table

Drinks and Fasting Days

Common people often drank water or a low-quality fermented drink called picotte, while taverns were important social spaces. During the frequent religious fast days, which numbered up to 150 per year, they relied on river fish or dried sea fish instead of meat.

Getting around

Public access to royal postal horses

By the early sixteenth century, King Francis I allowed the public to travel by the royal postal service, which used horses at a gallop between relay stations, though this service was very expensive.

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.