Joanna of Austria, Grand Duchess of Tuscany

At the table

Beer as a daily necessity

Water was rarely drunk because it was often unsanitary, so people consumed diluted, low-alcohol beer as a primary beverage, even giving it to children. Weak beer, sometimes called patoky, also served as a nutritious, energy-providing soup ingredient for the lower classes.

What people wore

Clothing as a valuable, shared asset

Clothing was a long-term investment that was rarely discarded, often circulating through society via pawning, inheritance, auctions, and second-hand markets. To keep garments clean, peasant women wore functional aprons, often nearly as wide as the skirt itself.

Getting around

Common travel methods and daily distances

Most ordinary people traveled on foot, covering 20–40 km per day depending on terrain and weather. Wealthier travelers used horses or horse-drawn carriages, though these were often uncomfortable and slow.

What it cost

Wages of laborers decline

Day laborer wages declined sharply after 1547 due to a reduction in the precious metal content of small coins.

Music

Music in private homes

Citizens' private households contained musical instruments and written scores, indicating that music was an active part of daily life within the home.

Daily life

Natural Light and Heating Constraints

In 16th-century Prague, households used small windows to help keep rooms warm, which limited the amount of natural light indoors. To provide illumination, people relied on candles and lamps in addition to daylight.