Henry II, Duke of Lorraine

At the table

Wine was preferred over water

Because water was considered unhealthy, most people drank fermented beverages like wine, which was often diluted with water. Women were expected to drink less alcohol than men, and their consumption of wine was sometimes cut heavily with water to prevent intoxication.

What people wore

Shepherdess attire in Anjou

A shepherdess from Anjou wore a cloth bonnet with a raised crown, a blouse with a fluted collar, a blue bodice, braces, and a woollen skirt.

Getting around

Royal travel took weeks to complete

A royal court journey from Paris to Chambord could take three weeks because the procession included thousands of people, animals, and entire households.

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.

Music

Weekly court balls and dances

At the French court under Henry III, balls were held at least twice a week, featuring dances such as the pavane, the dynamic gaillarde, and the volte, where the dancer helped his partner perform an aerial leap.

Daily life

Unreliable street lighting

Nighttime lighting in Paris was unreliable, as official decrees requiring citizens to hang lanterns outside their homes were rarely followed due to a lack of funding and enforcement.