Frederick VIII, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein

At the table

Coffee preparation and traditions

Coffee was not brewed but boiled in a copper kettle and clarified with a piece of dried flounder skin. Sugar was not added to the drink; instead, a piece of brown rock candy was eaten with it.

What people wore

Festive black dresses for women

For festive occasions, women often wore a black dress made of linsey-woolsey, a mixture of wool and flax, which many first acquired for their confirmation or wedding.

Getting around

Winter travel via ice boats

Passengers crossing the Great Belt in winter used ice boats, where men had to help pull the vessel across the ice while women were exempt.

What it cost

Marriage requirements and net worth

To obtain permission to marry, a couple often needed to prove a minimum net worth of 100 to 200 guilders.

Music

Typical rural dance band instrumentation

Rural dance bands typically featured a violin for the main music, supplemented by brass instruments for ceremonial functions such as welcoming guests.

Daily life

Tipping for Kitchen Sanitation

In the shared kitchens of Nyboder, tenants were advised to leave a tip for the night men who emptied the waste pits; a small tip ensured the kitchen was left clean, while no tip resulted in a mess. Tenants also had to keep a light burning in the kitchen at night so the night men could navigate through to the street.