Margaret of Denmark, Queen of Scotland

What people wore

Slitted fashion trends

By 1544, a popular, albeit impractical, fashion trend involved cutting long, narrow slits into clothing to reveal the layers worn underneath. Even young children were expected to wear these strange, cut-out garments as soon as they could walk.

Daily life

Childhood Education and Literacy

There was no compulsory schooling, but King Christian II's 1521 legislation encouraged the instruction of children in the Christian faith, reading, writing, and arithmetic. In practice, education was often informal, with parish priests or parents teaching the basics, while those aiming for the clergy might attend Latin schools in towns.

Work

Demanding labour for ploughing

Ploughing was heavy work typically requiring four horses and two men to perform.

Music

Pipes and Drums in Social Gatherings

Drums and pipes were used much more frequently than today, not only for military purposes but also at weddings and other social gatherings. A skilled musician, often called a piper, frequently played the pipe and small drum simultaneously.

At the table

Herring and kale as staples

Salted herring was a staple food for many, supplemented by kale as a crucial winter vegetable because it could survive outdoors all year.

Getting around

Limited capacity of peasant wagons

Peasant wagons used for transport were very small, typically carrying only about 100 bricks or one to two barrels of grain per load.

What it cost

Prices of poultry in 1510

In 1510, a goose could be purchased for 1 skilling dansk, while a hen cost 6 penninge dansk.