Anne of Denmark

At the table

Grain as the dietary staple

Grain, especially rye and barley, served as the foundation of the diet, providing bread, porridge, and beer.

What people wore

High value of textiles and fabrics

Textiles were so valuable that in 1550, a carpenter stole a piece of silk camlet worth 20 rigsdaler, an amount that could lead to a death sentence for the thief.

Getting around

Perilous boat crossings of the Belt

Crossing the Great Belt could be treacherous, requiring passengers to hire rowboats and sometimes wait days for calm weather, while ice might necessitate passengers walking on frozen patches.

What it cost

Beef prices and fluctuations

In Helsingør between 1576 and 1586, a pound of beef typically cost 6 øre, though prices fluctuated due to harvest quality. During a severe crop failure around 1590, the price in Copenhagen rose to 24 øre per pound.

Music

Playing music was considered a game

During the 16th century, common people often referred to playing music as playing, using the term play for both instruments and games. Skilled musicians, known as pipers, were frequently expected to play the flute and small drum simultaneously at weddings and gatherings.

Daily life

Daily access to water and light

Water for household use was retrieved from a village well, while poor water quality often led people to drink beer instead. Lighting inside the home was sparse, provided only by tallow candles and the glowing embers from the hearth.