Manuel Godoy

Manuel de Godoy y Álvarez de Faria Ríos, 1st Prince of the Peace was First Secretary of State of the Kingdom of Spain from 1792 to 1797 and from 1801 to 1808. He was one of the central Spanish political figures during the rise of Napoleon and his invasion of Spain. Godoy came to power at a young age as the favourite of King Charles IV and Queen Maria Luisa, with whom he had a sexual relationship.

The Essential Male Cape

Ordinary men frequently wore a cape, which was considered essential even for the very poor, who might lack a shirt or shoes but would still wear their cape to be buried decently. The cape served multiple purposes, acting as a mattress or blanket at night and as a way to hide worn-out clothing.

The High Value of Footwear and Clothing

Rope or wooden shoes were common among poorer individuals, and it was not unusual to find records of people owning only a single shoe or a single stocking. Clothes were so valuable that they were rarely discarded, often being repurposed, auctioned to pay for burial expenses, or given as part of a domestic servant's wages.

Popular instruments and castanets

The guitar was the most popular domestic instrument, often used to accompany dances like the seguidilla and tirana. Dancers frequently played simple castanets, which were held in the palm by a bead tied to their fingers.

Guitar and Castanets in Popular Life

The guitar was the most popular instrument among ordinary people, frequently used to accompany singing and dancing at home, in streets, and at festivals. Dancers often played simple castanets held in their palms to accompany themselves during performances.

Daily travel speeds and distances

Travelers using the posta system to change horses at established stops could cover approximately 150 to 200 kilometers per day. In contrast, heavy cargo carts drawn by oxen moved slowly, typically traveling only 20 to 35 kilometers per day.

Primary transport modes in Bourbon Spain

Between 1750 and 1774, most travel relied on mules, horses, or oxen, as railways and steamships did not yet exist in Spain. People traveled by coach, carriage, or on horseback, with the posta system providing the fastest travel for those who could afford it.

Dark, poorly lit homes for the poor

Ordinary homes for humble people were dark because windows were small, often covered with oiled paper instead of glass, which was reserved for the wealthy. Artificial lighting was mostly provided by oil lamps or candles, which could produce unpleasant odors and safety hazards in poorer households.

Kitchen life and cooking customs

Cooking was done in fireplaces using basic equipment like iron pots, pans, and grills, and families often gathered in the kitchen because it was the only room in the house kept warm. Chocolate was a prized, calorie-rich item used to show social status, often consumed as a drink by those who could afford it.

The Cost of Daily Bread in Madrid

In 18th-century Madrid, bread was the dietary staple, with an individual consuming about 390 grams daily. Following a 1767 price increase, standard wheat bread cost 11 cuartos, while refined French or candeal bread cost 12 cuartos.

The Price of Meat in Madrid

Meat consumption was stratified by price, with mutton being the most common, followed by beef and pork. By the 1760s, a pound of beef cost 13 cuartos and a pound of mutton cost 14 cuartos.

Annual cost of basic food items

In the mid-18th century, a daily ration of 1.5 pounds of bread for a maid cost roughly 576 reales de vellón per year. Meat for a household—half mutton, half beef—cost 730 reales de vellón annually.

Domestic servant wages and perks

In the late 18th century, a maid working for a family typically earned 24 reales per month in addition to her meals and chocolate.

Daily Diet and Food Costs

A common diet for working families included bread, wine, and simple warm dishes like a stew, with a daily allowance of only eight maravedís often set aside for a maid's food.

Coping with Daily Hardship

In 1774, a blind man selling gazettes in Madrid explained his frequent drinking by telling officials he had a bad life and needed to forget it.