Barbara Kola

What people wore

Carrying Essentials Without Pockets

Because ordinary clothing lacked pockets, both men and women carried small, pouch-shaped leather purses attached to their belts to keep needles, threads, and other small essentials.

Daily life

Water-driven mills and cash dues

Manor mills were water-driven and situated on streams; some, known as spring mills, only operated during flood seasons in spring and autumn. Peasants sometimes commuted their labour requirements for a payment of 12 groshi.

Work

Daily Rest Periods for Peasants

Peasants working with draught animals were entitled to three mandatory rest periods during their workday: before dinner, at midday, and before evening. Other workers not handling livestock were granted three shorter rest periods of half an hour each.

Music

Sacred hymns and folk instruments

Kankles, an archaic string instrument, were believed to have protective spiritual powers and were traditionally crafted by men from mature forest wood. In church, people sang Gregorian chants and the religious hymn Bogurodzica, which was also sung by soldiers before battles.

At the table

Fresh fish was a vital supplement

Ordinary people caught and ate a wide variety of fish from local lakes and rivers, including pike, perch, and occasionally sturgeon, as a vital supplement to their diet.

Getting around

Average travel speeds in the 16th century

Travelers in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania generally traveled at a speed of about 25 km per day on foot or in carts laden with goods. Skilled riders, however, could travel faster, and the postal service achieved speeds of about 62 km per day.

What it cost

Cost of fur garments

In the ruler's court, fox fur garments for attendants were valued at prices ranging from 22 to 100 groshi, depending on quality.