In the news1507
Great plague of 1507
A major plague struck Poland in 1507, causing many peasants to flee their farms and leading to widespread abandonment of rural sites.
16th century – 1577
5 facts1 source
16th century
Born
1546
A son is born
1577
Dies
He lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1507
A major plague struck Poland in 1507, causing many peasants to flee their farms and leading to widespread abandonment of rural sites.
Getting around
Common methods of travel and daily speeds
Ordinary people typically traveled on foot, covering 20–25 kilometers a day, while those with wagons or carts traveled at a slightly slower pace of 4–6 kilometers per hour.
In the news1505
The Nihil novi act of 1505 transferred most legislative power from the monarch to the Sejm, initiating the Golden Liberty system.
Daily life
No formal schooling for rural children
Rural children did not attend formal schools; instead, their childhood was short and primarily focused on learning farm work through games and assisting their parents. Many children played with self-made wooden or clay toys, or simply used natural objects like sand, stones, and water.
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.
Music
Performers in city inns
In the 16th century, musicians called igrcy sang lighthearted and sometimes ribald songs in city inns, which were heavily criticized and discouraged by the clergy.
At the table
Daily meat consumption
An average laborer on a Polish manor consumed approximately 300g of fatty meat every day.