Catherine Alekseyevna of Russia

What people wore

Essential Daily Clothing and Belts

Ordinary people wore linen shirts as a base layer, with men pairing them with knee-length trousers and women wearing long shirts often decorated for festivals. A belt was essential, as appearing in public without one was considered highly improper.

Daily life

Chimney-less huts and smoky interiors

Ordinary homes were chimney-less huts where smoke exited through a small hole, sometimes shared with poultry and young livestock during winter. Lighting was provided by splinter torches, and windows were often small, shuttered, or covered with bull's bladder.

Work

Demanding agricultural labor cycles

Peasant life revolved around the agricultural calendar, requiring labor on both the lord's fields and their own allotments, with days often starting at 3 or 4 a.m. during the growing season.

Music

Solitary dancing and embroidered handkerchiefs

When dancing, Russians traditionally did not hold hands; instead, individuals danced alone, often waving intricately embroidered handkerchiefs while moving their arms, shoulders, and hips.

At the table

Daily diet of cabbage, porridge, and bread

Ordinary families relied heavily on cabbage soup (shchi), porridge, and black rye bread, often supplemented by seasonal mushrooms, berries, and vegetables like turnips or cucumbers. Meat was consumed less frequently due to numerous religious fasts, and the pungent aroma of garlic and onion was characteristic of their daily meals.

Getting around

Animal-drawn transport in 17th-century Russia

In the 17th century, there were no railways or steamships, so travelers relied on horses and animal-drawn transport such as carriages, carts, and sledges. During the winter, sledges were the preferred vehicle for travel, even for weddings or social visits.

What it cost

Cost of housing in mid-17th century Moscow

Building a small house in Moscow during this period cost about 10 rubles, which represented four years of income for a simple carpenter.