Marfa Alekseyevna of Russia

Tsarevna Marfa Alekseyevna Romanova of Russia was a Russian princess, daughter of Tsar Alexis of Russia and Maria Miloslavskaya, sister of Tsar Feodor III of Russia and Tsar Ivan V of Russia and half-sister of Tsar Peter the Great. She participated in the rebellion of her sister Sophia against Tsar Peter in 1698.

Essential Daily Clothing and Belts

Ordinary people wore linen shirts as a base layer, with men pairing them with knee-length trousers and women wearing long shirts often decorated for festivals. A belt was essential, as appearing in public without one was considered highly improper.

Footwear and Winter Warmth

Peasant footwear was typically made from natural materials like tree bark or vine twigs, though some people used leather soles tied with belts. During winter, both men and women relied on sheepskin or hare fur coats to stay warm.

Solitary dancing and embroidered handkerchiefs

When dancing, Russians traditionally did not hold hands; instead, individuals danced alone, often waving intricately embroidered handkerchiefs while moving their arms, shoulders, and hips.

Massive burning of folk musical instruments

In 1648, authorities confiscated and burned five cartloads of folk musical instruments on the banks of the Moscow River due to a religious ban. Instruments targeted included domras, bagpipes, and various stringed instruments previously used by traveling entertainers called skomorokhi.

Animal-drawn transport in 17th-century Russia

In the 17th century, there were no railways or steamships, so travelers relied on horses and animal-drawn transport such as carriages, carts, and sledges. During the winter, sledges were the preferred vehicle for travel, even for weddings or social visits.

Challenges of 17th-century Russian travel

Travel was slow, often taking weeks, and due to a lack of inns, travelers had to carry their own food, axes, and fire-making supplies to camp outdoors. Wealthy travelers often traveled by post-horses, changing them at stations, though they frequently faced shortages of horses or corrupt officials demanding bribes.

Chimney-less huts and smoky interiors

Ordinary homes were chimney-less huts where smoke exited through a small hole, sometimes shared with poultry and young livestock during winter. Lighting was provided by splinter torches, and windows were often small, shuttered, or covered with bull's bladder.

Home and monastery-based education

Children were typically educated at home, focusing on reading, writing, and counting, with some instruction provided by monasteries. Wealthier families also began to introduce foreign languages like Latin and Polish in the 17th century.

Daily diet of cabbage, porridge, and bread

Ordinary families relied heavily on cabbage soup (shchi), porridge, and black rye bread, often supplemented by seasonal mushrooms, berries, and vegetables like turnips or cucumbers. Meat was consumed less frequently due to numerous religious fasts, and the pungent aroma of garlic and onion was characteristic of their daily meals.

Everyday kvass and hangover remedies

Kvass, a fermented beverage made from rye or barley, was a daily staple for people of all social classes. When feeling unwell, especially after drinking, Russians consumed a specific dish called pokhmelye, made from chopped cold mutton, pickles, spices, vinegar, and brine.

Cost of footwear

In the late 17th century, a pair of fine morocco leather boots cost 1 ruble, while simpler leather shoes were significantly cheaper.

Cost of housing in mid-17th century Moscow

Building a small house in Moscow during this period cost about 10 rubles, which represented four years of income for a simple carpenter.

Demanding agricultural labor cycles

Peasant life revolved around the agricultural calendar, requiring labor on both the lord's fields and their own allotments, with days often starting at 3 or 4 a.m. during the growing season.

Diverse urban labor roles

In Moscow, laborers performed diverse tasks such as trade, craft production in metal or leather, and domestic service, while women frequently managed household stores and sold goods in markets.

How Private Letters Traveled

Private individuals rarely used the official state postal system before the 1690s, relying instead on servants, relatives, or traveling acquaintances to carry their letters. Servants often delivered letters for their masters, while merchants used their own agents who were already traveling to transport goods.

Letter Delivery Times

Letters between Moscow and London typically took 40 to 50 days to arrive, with 40 days considered a good time and 50 days considered slow. A letter traveling from Moscow to Riga generally took 11 to 12 days.