Princess Amalia of Sweden

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.

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

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.

Music

The dominance of the polska dance

By the mid-19th century, the polska had evolved as the primary dance and tune style for the fiddle in Sweden's provinces.

Daily life

Fetching daily water supplies

Water had to be fetched manually from a spring or well before dark, as it was considered bad practice to draw it after nightfall. Once inside, a hot coal was sometimes thrown into the water bucket.