John the Younger, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg

What people wore

Legal Restrictions on Clothing Materials

Ordinary men and women were legally prohibited from wearing luxury textiles like velvet, damask, or silk, though non-noble unmarried women could wear simple silk or velvet hair ribbons.

Daily life

Living in cramped, cold timber-framed houses

Most ordinary Danish farmers lived in small, cold timber-framed houses built directly on the ground, sharing their limited space with livestock to help stay warm. People typically slept in short, cupboard-like alcove beds, often sitting upright because they believed lying flat was unhealthy or due to limited space.

Work

Rural family roles and farming tasks

The vast majority of the population worked on family farms, where men performed heavy labor like plowing and harvesting, while women managed tasks such as milking cows, baking bread, and brewing beer.

Music

Popular chain dancing and musical accompaniment

In the mid-16th century, common people frequently danced in chains, often to the sound of a performer simultaneously playing a pipe and a small drum.

At the table

Beer as an Everyday Drink

Ordinary people drank weak beer daily, as the quality of water was poor and it was considered safer and more common than drinking water.

Getting around

Shift to wagon travel

During the 16th century, traveling by wagon became increasingly common for men, whereas at the start of the century, both men and women typically traveled on horseback.

What it cost

Income of a Hessian foot soldier

A foot soldier hired to serve the Landgrave of Hesse could earn an annual salary of 40 gulden, along with two sets of court clothing.