Andrzej Sierpski

What people wore

Fashionable slitted sleeves

Both men and women of various social classes followed the trend of wearing clothing with slitted sleeves, which was perceived as a touch of flirtation and intimacy. This style allowed contrasting fabrics from underneath to show through the cuts.

Daily life

Modest wooden homes with open fires

Peasant families lived in modest wooden houses that usually consisted of a single room containing a stove for heating and cooking. Some households in Samogitia used a traditional 'numas' structure, which featured an open fireplace instead of a stove.

Work

Wealthy Farmers and Economic Transactions

Peasants were economic actors who could earn significant disposable income, sometimes reaching 10 to 20 złoties in a good year by the mid-sixteenth century. Some wealthy farmers even purchased mills or inns using installment plans that could span up to twenty years.

Music

Common musical instruments

Bagpipes, flutes, and fiddles were popular instruments, with bagpipers commonly providing music for weddings and parties at both city and country inns.

At the table

Daily meat consumption

An average laborer on a Polish manor consumed approximately 300g of fatty meat every day.

Getting around

Difficult conditions for travelers and inns

Roads were often in poor condition, and finding suitable overnight shelter was difficult, with some inns described as being little better than a cattle-shed.

What it cost

Purchasing power of weekly wages

For one week's wages, a laborer could purchase approximately 100 liters of beer or a pair of shoes, which cost 7 to 8 grossi.