Carlota de Godoy, 2nd Duchess of Sueca

Carlota de Godoy y Borbón, 2nd Duchess of Sueca, twice Grandee of Spain was a Spanish aristocrat, daughter of Manuel de Godoy and his first wife, Doña María Teresa Carolina de Borbón y Vallabriga, Farnesio y Rozas.

Essential outdoor attire for women

Regardless of social class, women wore a black basquiña skirt and a mantilla over their other clothes when going out in public or to church. These garments were considered so essential that they were present in every dowry, whether from a wealthy or modest family.

Displaying wealth on feast days

Women's wealth was displayed through their clothes, and it was said they would wear everything they owned on feast days, which occurred frequently throughout the year. Dressing up for public appearances was a major social priority, balancing modesty with the display of luxury.

Public dance events with strict coordination

Public masked dances in Valencia in 1800 featured a 36-piece orchestra, with two dance masters using long white sticks to explain the steps.

Fashionable instruments and popular musical styles

The guitar was a fashionable instrument, often used to accompany popular songs and dances like the fandango, seguidilla, and tirana.

Long carriage journeys required mule rest

In 1786, a four-passenger carriage pulled by seven mules took 14 days to travel from Barcelona to Madrid, including a mandatory day of rest for the mules in Zaragoza. Travelers often paid for coaches and used multiple mules to navigate the journey, as was customary for longer trips.

Carriages and mule travel options

A traveler seeking economy might hire a light carriage called a volante, paying about six to nine livres per day for the machine and a mule to travel eight to ten leagues daily. Alternatively, those crossing bandit-prone areas could ride on a mule with common carriers, occupying the space otherwise used for a bale of goods.

Basic Kitchens and Shared Cooking Spaces

Kitchens were typically basic, often featuring a simple stove or brazier with few earthenware pots for cooking. Meals were frequently prepared in common pots, and specialized dining rooms were rare or considered an afterthought in many homes.

Scarcity and Management of Drinking Water

In coastal cities like Cadiz, drinking water was scarce and often brought in casks from nearby springs, requiring households to collect rainwater in cisterns. This water was meticulously managed for specific uses like cooking, drinking, or cleaning.

Meat was for special occasions

Meat was consumed only on special occasions, as livestock like chickens were kept primarily for eggs and were only eaten when they were too old to lay.

Wine preferred over risky water

Wine was the preferred beverage, often drunk diluted or spiced because water was frequently unsafe and caused gastrointestinal issues.

Cost of meat and shoes

Beef and lamb cost approximately 2 reales per pound, while a pair of shoes typically cost around 16 reales.

Daily wages for Spanish laborers

In the early 19th century, common laborers typically earned about 4 reales per day, while skilled workers like carpenters or masons could earn between 6 and 11 reales.

Agriculture dominated as the primary occupation

Agriculture was the most common activity, with most laborers working as day laborers (jornaleros) on land owned by a few wealthy landowners. Work often involved entire families, including children, in domestic, agricultural, and craft tasks.

Grueling work days and forced instability

Working days were typically grueling, ranging from sunrise to sunset in agriculture, while some urban industries demanded 12 to 13 hours or more. Workers often faced forced inactivity due to factors like weather or supply shortages, yet still sought additional subsistence work to survive.