Mercedes of Orléans

María de las Mercedes of Orléans was Queen of Spain as the first wife of King Alfonso XII. She was born in Madrid, the daughter of Prince Antoine, Duke of Montpensier, and Infanta Luisa Fernanda of Spain.

Limited wardrobes for humble women

A typical humble woman in mid-19th century Spain often possessed only two outfits: one for daily work and one reserved for Sundays and feast days.

Distinctive festive shawl for married women

Married women in the Sierra de Béjar region wore a green rectangular shoulder shawl known as a serenero, fastened with a silver brooch.

Dances performed at religious festivals

Dances such as the jota were performed at religious festivals to honor saints and request favors, blending Catholic rituals with local customs.

Popular festive dances and music

Popular dances like the fandango, jota, and polkas were enjoyed at festivals and public gatherings, often accompanied by instruments like the guitar or local brass bands.

Sluggish rail journeys in Spain

Rail travel was often sluggish, with one passenger complaining that a 130-mile trip between Cordoba and Madrid took 12 hours.

Train and stagecoach travel combinations

Rail travel drastically changed transit, though it remained slow; for example, the journey from Manzanares to Granada required an additional 30-hour stagecoach trip.

Buying fish for 2 reales

In Santoña, residents could buy fresh fish directly from fishing nets pulled to the shore for as little as 2 reales, although the catch size varied significantly.

Teachers' salaries and housing

Schoolteachers in Santoña were provided with housing in addition to their annual salaries, which were 400 ducados for the male teacher and 200 ducados for the female teacher.

Gender inequality at the dinner table

In rural Spanish households during the mid-19th century, men often sat at the table to eat while women served them standing, frequently eating separately in the kitchen later.

High spending on alcohol by families

In some industrial mining regions, families spent over 25 percent of their total food budget on alcohol, specifically wine and aguardiente.

Cost of board and lodging

At the time, immigrant workers in Barcelona typically paid 5 to 6 reals for board and lodging.

Wages for domestic servants in Barcelona

In 1856, domestic servants in Barcelona earned an average daily wage of 4.5 reals, often supplemented by meals valued at 1.5 reals.

Common Jobs in 19th Century Spain

Most people worked in agriculture, while domestic service was the primary paid job for women. Factory work, especially in textiles, became increasingly common in urban centers like Barcelona.

The Harsh Realities of Working Days

Industrial workers often endured 12 to 14-hour days, six days a week, and children as young as six or seven were commonly sent to work. In some industries, workers performed a second shift called a velada that lasted until 8:00 p.m.