Kirsten Madsdatter

What people wore

Homemade clothing and purchased finery

Ordinary people often made their own clothing at home from materials like wool, linen, and animal skins, while finer items like silk or damask were purchased for special occasions.

Daily life

Avoiding Drinking Water

It was common to avoid drinking water in Denmark; beer was preferred even by children because water was often considered unsafe due to poor sanitation and contamination in wells. If water had to be consumed, experts like Henrik Ranzau recommended boiling it slowly first to remove its impurities.

News and letters

Courier Speeds and Verbal Messages

Royal couriers riding the fastest horses could travel up to 70 kilometers per day on long journeys. Because many letter carriers were illiterate, they often carried verbal messages to explain or supplement the written text.

Music

Music and Games in Daily Life

During the 16th century, the term playing (at lege) was used for both music, dice, and cards, while flute, shawm, and organ were common instruments at festivities.

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

Standard travel by foot or wagon

Ordinary people primarily traveled on foot or by horse-drawn peasant wagons, as standard travel distances were measured by a day's journey of approximately 50 to 70 kilometers.

Work

Beer as a dietary staple

Because unboiled water was often unhealthy and milk was scarce, beer was the most common daily drink for the population.