Prince Gustaf, Duke of Uppland

At the table

Home-distilled brandy was consumed daily

Brandy was widely consumed, with a still often found on every farm until the practice was banned in 1855.

What people wore

Aprons were essential for women's daily morality

Until the mid-19th century, women were expected to wear an apron at all times while away from the farm, as going without one was considered immoral. The apron served as a decorative item on festive occasions and as protection during daily work.

Getting around

Rise of steamship travel

Steamboat routes began covering the Norwegian coast in the 1820s and 1830s, offering a modern alternative to land travel.

What it cost

Budgeting for food and housing

From the 17th century through the early 19th century, ordinary wage earners typically spent approximately 80 to 85 percent of their income on food and housing. The remaining small portion had to cover essential costs for clothing and footwear.

Music

Norwegian folk songs and cattle calls

In Norway, ordinary people sang medieval ballads, songs about trolls and fairy tale characters, and lullabies, while also using cattle calls to communicate across distances. Cattle calls used a unique technique with a raised larynx to produce high, penetrating tones audible up to 5 kilometers away.

Daily life

Pine splinters used for lighting

Ordinary homes relied on pine splinters for lighting because tallow candles were considered too expensive for everyday use. In the winter, families gathered around fireplaces, where resinous wood chips were burned to provide enough light for indoor tasks.