Prince Gustaf of Sweden

At the table

Salt-heavy diet and high beer consumption

Ordinary people ate a diet based on salt-preserved foods such as herring, meat, and pork, often supplemented by bread, porridge, peas, and butter. Because the food was heavily salted, they drank large quantities of diluted beer, sometimes exceeding five liters per person daily.

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.

Getting around

Travel by Horse and Foot

During the 17th century, ordinary people typically traveled between towns on horseback or on foot because public roads were often too narrow and stony for wagons.

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.

Music

Instruments in late 17th-century Sweden

Poetic records from the late 17th century indicate that popular instruments included the violin, lute, dulcimer, and regal, while folk instruments included the nyckelharpa and horn.

Daily life

Limited access to formal schooling

Ordinary children often lacked formal schooling and helped with farm work from a young age, while only select boys from certain families attended schools to learn subjects like religion.