Jan Zborowski

What people wore

Popularity of slitted clothing

Slitting sleeves and clothes to reveal contrasting linings or shirts underneath became a very popular trend in the early 16th century. This style was adopted by various social classes as a touch of flirtation and intimacy.

Daily life

Dim interiors and limited kitchen space

Homes often lacked dedicated kitchens, with cooking performed in a hall or over a central fire, while small windows and expensive lighting made interiors dim.

Work

Compulsory unpaid labor on manorial farms

Peasants spent much of their time performing unpaid labor, known as panszczyzna, on the lord's manorial farm in addition to working their own plots. This obligation was legally set at a minimum of one day per week by 1520 and often required farmers to provide their own horses, oxen, and equipment.

Music

Popular dances in the Renaissance

People in towns like Lublin enjoyed dancing to secular tunes such as Zakłułam się cierniem, which was popular enough to be noted in music collections across Europe.

At the table

Fish and salt preservation

Ordinary diets included fish such as carp and pike, which were often preserved with salt to supplement food supplies beyond the harvest.

Getting around

Daily Travel Speeds in the 16th Century

In the 16th century, travelers on foot or in carts laden with goods typically covered about 25 km per day, while specialized postal routes could reach speeds of over 60 km per day.

What it cost

Everyday costs for workers

A pair of shoes cost 7 to 8 grosze, which represented about four days of work for an unskilled laborer. Meat was more expensive, with a large portion of pork costing 18 to 20 grosze, or nearly two weeks of work.