Dorothea of Denmark, Electress Palatine

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.

Daily life

Cooking Methods and Kitchen Safety

Ordinary people cooked over open fires, often using pots of ceramic, copper, or tin, as indoor ovens were typically used only once a month for baking. Because open fire was considered dangerous, specialized kitchen functions were sometimes moved to separate buildings like dedicated brew-houses, bakeries, or cooking sheds.

What people wore

DIY footwear for everyday use

Simple, practical footwear for daily use could be made by anyone with just a piece of animal skin, a knife to punch holes, and string to tie it around the ankle.

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

Beer as a daily thirst quencher

Because water quality was poor, ordinary families drank beer with every meal, including children; it was typically not strong and often quite sour.