Hello Oscar Adams! I'm glad to help you with your writing about Catalina de Erauso, also known as Lt. Nun.
During the 1600s in Spain, young nuns in training would have performed various cleaning duties as part of their daily routine in the convent. Cleaning was considered an essential aspect of their religious and communal life. Here's an overview of how they might have approached floor cleaning and their attire during those times:
Floor Cleaning Duties:
Brooms: Nuns would have used handmade brooms, typically made of natural materials like straw or twigs, to sweep and clean the floors. Brooms were essential tools for maintaining cleanliness in the living areas and common spaces of the convent.
Cleaning Solutions: They would have used simple cleaning solutions made from water, vinegar, or other natural ingredients to clean and sanitize the floors.
Manual Labor: Cleaning would have been a physically demanding task, requiring the nuns to exert effort in sweeping, scrubbing, and mopping the floors.
Attire:
Habit: Nuns in training, or novices, would have worn the traditional religious habit. The habit consisted of a long, loose-fitting robe, often made of coarse material like wool, and a veil to cover their hair.
Apron: To protect their habit from dirt and stains while cleaning, they might have worn aprons made of sturdy cloth or linen.
Simple Shoes: Nuns typically wore simple, practical shoes like sandals or clogs, which were comfortable for everyday tasks and chores.
It's important to note that the specifics of cleaning duties and attire might have varied slightly between different religious orders and convents. Convents in various regions might have had their own particular customs and practices.
As you write about Catalina de Erauso's experiences, it's worth researching historical sources and accounts from that time period to gain a more detailed understanding of the daily life and activities of young nuns in 17th-century Spain. Best of luck with your writing!