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Hedwig of Denmark

Frederiksborg Palace, 5 Aug 1581 – Castle Lichtenburg, 26 Nov 1641

9 facts1 source

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 5 Aug 1581

    Born in Frederiksborg Palace

  2. 26 Nov 1641

    Dies in Castle Lichtenburg, aged 60

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

During her lifetime

She lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Frederiksborg Palace.

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

The 1580s · Hedwig is born in Frederiksborg Palace

In the news1580–1581

Spanish Pip epidemic kills many

An infectious disease known locally as the Spanish Pip caused high mortality across the Nordic region, including killing a third of the population on Nordstrand.

Getting around

Frequent carriage changes in winter

Travelers often had to change carriages every two to four miles in winter because coachmen were unwilling to travel far and horses tired quickly in the snow.

In the news1583–1585

Deadly epidemic hits Copenhagen

A severe typhus-like epidemic hit Copenhagen in 1583, leading to an average of 46 deaths per day in August.

Daily life

Lighting homes with pine splinters

In many households, people used resinous pine splinters called "stikved" for light, which could even be held in the mouth to keep both hands free while working. Ordinary people often relied solely on the glow from the open hearth after dark.

What people wore

Clothing as economic currency for artisans

Artisan families in towns like Elsinore used clothing as economic currency that could be turned into cash, and inventories show that garments were personal assets of significant value.

Music

Tower Musicians and Expensive Instruments

Tower musicians played daily signals for the city, including morning, midday, and evening sets, and were also hired for private events like weddings. Frederik II ordered two new silver kettledrums from a Kolding goldsmith, which cost over 4000 kroner.

At the table

Breakfast consisted of beer and bread

A common breakfast was oellebroed, a warm dish made by dipping bread into beer. Children at schools, such as those in Soroe, were served this meal around 7:00 in the morning.