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Carl Gyllenhielm

Helgona, 4 Mar 1574 – Solna, 17 Mar 1650

9 facts2 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born4 Mar 1574, Helgonanot verified1 source
  • Died17 Mar 1650, Solnaor 7 Mar 1650Records disagree1 source
  • FatherCharles IX of Swedennot verified1 source
  • MotherKarin Nilsdotternot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 4 Mar 1574

    Born in Helgona

  2. 17 Mar 1650

    Dies in Solna, aged 76

Family

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Parents

During his lifetime

He lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Helgona.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1570s · Carl is born in Helgona

In the news1563–1570

Devastation from the Northern Seven Years' War

The Northern Seven Years' War caused widespread devastation, with farms plundered and rural populations forced to flee to towns.

Getting around

Travel by Foot and Horseback

In the 16th century, Swedes primarily traveled on foot or horseback, as carriages were not yet common for general use. People often traveled in groups for safety and to share the burdens of the journey.

In the news1571

Mandatory elementary schooling introduced for city children

The Swedish Church Ordinance was established, mandating elementary schooling for all children in cities, regardless of sex.

Daily life

Turf roofs and tiny light sources

Houses were one-storey log buildings with turf roofs, where sheep and goats often grazed during the summer. Light entered through a single tiny window in the roof, measuring about half an ell square and covered with parchment or glass.

What people wore

Sheepskin skirts for farm maids

In 1559, two maids at Umeå farm were each given a skirt made from 12 sheepskins.

Music

Chanting the mass in Swedish vernacular

During mass, priests chanted biblical texts in the Swedish vernacular using melodic formulas known as accentus, a practice that helped convey scripture to the laity.

At the table

Beaver Served as Fasting Fish

Beaver was consumed as a fish substitute on fasting days because people believed it was a water-dwelling animal that swam using its tail. This allowed it to be eaten during the religious periods when meat was prohibited.