Catherine I of Russia

Catherine I was Empress of Russia from 8 February 1725 until her death in 1727. She was previously empress consort of Russia from 1721 to 1725 as the second wife of Peter the Great, and tsaritsa consort from 1712 to 1721.

Simple homemade wool and linen clothing

Ordinary people wore simple garments made from wool and linen that they produced themselves. During the winter, they crafted sturdy footwear known as pastalas from cattle hides.

Traditional handmade accessories and footwear

Women covered their heads with linen scarves that were decorated with colorful threads and needle embroidery. People also skillfully made everyday shoes from linden or willow bark.

Fines for wedding musicians in Rīga

Musicians were often paid 3 Rīga thalers in fines if they failed to follow strict rules, such as playing at multiple weddings in one day.

Late night merchant wedding dances

At merchant weddings, guests celebrated with dances until midnight, often ending in fights after extensive beer consumption.

Cost of a winter transport vehicle

In 1586, a sledge was purchased at the Ramygala market for ten Lithuanian groši, illustrating the rural cost of winter transport equipment.

Peasant transport duties and distances

Transport duties required peasants to carry correspondence or small items, often walking up to three miles, while trips to distant towns sometimes exceeded eight miles.

Schooling and Discipline for Children

Schooling for peasant children included reading, writing, and religion, often supervised by local pastors. In Liepāja, teachers were permitted to use a rod for discipline, though striking children with fists or sticks was prohibited by law.

Traditional Vidzeme Farmstead Housing

In Vidzeme, peasant families often lived in a threshing house, where the drying room doubled as a living space. Other farm buildings, including granaries and bathhouses, were situated around a central yard, typically located near water and protected from cold winds.

Home-brewed beer was standard drink

Beer was the most common drink, and while guilds controlled commercial brewing, individuals frequently brewed their own for home use.

Imported salted herring as a staple

Herring imported from the Netherlands was a crucial staple for ordinary diets, as it could be easily preserved by salting or smoking.

Fishermen's taxes and trade in Riga

Fishermen in the Gulf of Riga used small boats to catch herring in spring and summer, paying a tax of approximately 2000 fish annually to landlords. They sold their remaining catch, primarily herring, at the Riga market.

Mandatory peasant labor on manor farms

Peasant families performed mandatory labor, such as sending a man with a horse to work on the manor farm for 1.5 days every week throughout the entire year. Additional seasonal obligations could require even more labor, such as 32 extra days of a man-horse team during the summer.

News delivery via Lutheran pastors

In Livland, government orders were often delivered to Lutheran pastors, who announced the news to local peasants from the pulpit in Latvian or Estonian.

News transfer speed between Riga and Tallinn

To reprint the Riga newspaper in Tallinn took on average five to six days, as it relied on the regular post dispatch days.