Tatyana Mikhailovna of Russia

What people wore

The belt as a status symbol

It was considered shameful to appear in public without a belt, as the belt served as a clear indicator of a person's social status.

Daily life

Living in a Serf Izba

Serf dwellings were one-room log cabins (izbas) with tiny windows, often covered with stretched animal bladder or mica rather than glass to conserve heat. These homes were typically heated by a large clay-based oven that took up a quarter of the floor area and doubled as a sleeping platform.

Work

Agricultural Serfs and Their Daily Routine

Most serfs worked in agriculture, enduring a daily cycle that began between 3 and 4 a.m. during the growing season. They spent their days performing barshchina, which was unpaid corvée labor on their lord's fields, followed by labor on their own small allotments to provide for their families.

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

Rye bread and occasional festive treats

Rye bread was the standard daily bread, while wheat flour was reserved for special occasions like holiday cakes or rolls, which ordinary people considered a great treat. Meat and fish were often consumed only during major religious holidays or periods of heavy field labor.

Getting around

Sleighs and Horseback Travel Preferences

Sleighs were a favored mode of transport, and it was not uncommon for a bride to travel to church in a sleigh even during the summer. Furthermore, coaches were primarily used by aristocratic women, while men usually preferred riding on horseback.

What it cost

Monthly earnings for skilled workers

In the mid-17th century, a stonemason or carpenter in Moscow typically earned between 20 and 40 kopecks per month for a 12-hour workday.