Margrethe Pape

What it cost

Rye bread price in the 1600s

In the 1600s, a pound of rye bread typically cost 1 to 2 skilling, though prices could rise significantly during grain shortages.

Music

Shawms, citherns, and flutes were popular

Instruments such as the shawm (skalmeje), cithern, and various flutes were popular in both public and private life. In some cases, people even used these for entertainment during drinking sessions, though such secular music was often viewed with hostility by the church.

Daily life

Children's Work and Schooling

In the Børnehuset orphanage, children had a 10-hour workday, from 5 to 10 in the morning and 12 to 5 in the afternoon. A priest provided a daily half-hour of education in reading and writing.

Work

Mandatory unpaid labor for tenant farmers

In the mid-17th century, many tenant peasants were obligated to perform at least one day of unpaid labour per week for their landlords, known as weekday men. This work included strenuous tasks like felling trees, digging ditches, and repairing fences, sometimes even using their own horses and wagons.

Getting around

Standard day's journey of four miles

A Danish mile, used as a measure for travel, was approximately 7.5 kilometers, and four miles were considered a standard day's journey.

At the table

Beer replaced water for all ages

Because drinking water was often unsafe, people of all ages drank thin, sour beer with their meals instead.