Margareta Slots

What people wore

Strict fashion laws for commoners

During the 1600s, Swedish commoners were strictly forbidden from using silk fabrics or other exclusive materials in public, with violators facing fines or imprisonment on bread and water.

Daily life

Crowded living and fire duties

Students shared a single room with beds, chests, and clothes; usually, only one chair existed, which the senior student claimed, forcing others to sit on chests and trunks. They were also responsible for building fires early enough to be extinguished by 6 a.m. for school.

Work

Hazardous mining and job qualification tests

At the Falu mine, workers traveled underground in open barrels, and management set performance tests like carrying heavy ore loads to qualify for jobs. The work was hazardous, with miners facing falling rocks and slippery ladders, but it exempted them from military service.

Music

Wedding music outside the church

In peasant society, wedding marches were played by musicians to accompany the wedding procession to church, but they were rarely allowed to play inside the church building itself.

At the table

Beer as a daily beverage

Ordinary families frequently consumed beer daily, with some individuals drinking three to four liters each day due to limited access to pure water.

Getting around

Forced walking speed for mail

Mail carriers were expected to walk at a brisk pace of 10 km every two hours, and failing to maintain this speed could lead to penalties including imprisonment on bread and water.

What it cost

Price of bread and meat in Ångermanland

In Ångermanland, a single loaf of bread was valued at 2 öre, while 1 liter of meat cost 24 öre.