Ferdinand Wenzel von Habsburg

What people wore

Winter undergarments and petticoats

Women did not wear underpants, relying instead on multiple petticoats to stay warm during winter. Men wore long underpants in the winter that were tied at the belly and ankles.

Daily life

Winter schooling for children

Regular schooling for children was typically only possible during the winter months when agricultural work was less demanding. Often, there was only one classroom with a single teacher who instructed all the children regardless of their different ages.

Work

Agricultural life dominated the Habsburg monarchy

Approximately 75 to 80 percent of the population worked in agriculture, which included small farmers, farmhands, and maids who lived in the farmer's household.

Music

Authorities banned music during crises

Music performances were frequently forbidden by authorities during times of crisis, such as the appearance of a comet in 1681 or during the Turkish wars of 1605.

At the table

Common Drinks: Vinegar Water and Dark Beer

While beer was a standard staple for many, poor women who could not afford wine or other drinks often relied on water mixed with vinegar for hydration. When available, beer was typically top-fermented, dark, and lower in alcohol content than modern varieties.

Getting around

Using horses and carriages for long trips

Travelers often used horses, carriages, or carts, and on long journeys they utilized postal stations located about every 25 kilometers to change horses and find lodging.

What it cost

Wages of farm workers

Between 1657 and 1663, a farmhand (Maierknecht) earned an annual wage of 6 gulden and a pair of boots, while a spinner earned 3 gulden and a pair of shoes.