Carl XV of Sweden

At the table

Common Rye Flatbread Consumption

Ordinary families commonly consumed a thin, griddle-baked rye bread known as fladbröd, which was eaten in large quantities during meals.

What people wore

Aprons were essential for women

Until the mid-19th century, it was considered immoral for a woman to appear outside her farm without an apron, which served both as protection during work and as decoration on festive occasions.

Getting around

Bringing private carriages for comfort

To avoid being shaken painfully in simple farmers' carts, travelers were advised to bring their own carriages, as spring-equipped vehicles were rarely available for hire. Carriage rates were set at 1 skilling banco per mile for a cart and 2 skilling banco for a carriage.

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

The long-distance vocal technique kulning

Women working at mountain pastures used a distinctive high-pitched vocal technique called kulning to communicate with animals and people over distances of up to 5 kilometers.

Daily life

Diet and coffee restrictions

Coffee was a rare luxury that children and servants often did not taste; one boy was even paid two riksdaler banko annually by his father to abstain from it and sugar. Meals were commonly prepared and eaten by the hearth using simple tools, often consisting of potatoes, herring, and bread.