Maximilian of Denmark

What people wore

DIY footwear for everyday use

Simple, practical footwear for daily use could be made by anyone with just a piece of animal skin, a knife to punch holes, and string to tie it around the ankle.

Daily life

Childhood Education and Literacy

There was no compulsory schooling, but King Christian II's 1521 legislation encouraged the instruction of children in the Christian faith, reading, writing, and arithmetic. In practice, education was often informal, with parish priests or parents teaching the basics, while those aiming for the clergy might attend Latin schools in towns.

Work

Peasant farming dominated daily life

Most people lived as tenant farmers in households where men ploughed and sowed while women managed livestock, butter, and bread.

Music

Pipes and Drums in Social Gatherings

Drums and pipes were used much more frequently than today, not only for military purposes but also at weddings and other social gatherings. A skilled musician, often called a piper, frequently played the pipe and small drum simultaneously.

At the table

Herring and kale as staples

Salted herring was a staple food for many, supplemented by kale as a crucial winter vegetable because it could survive outdoors all year.

Getting around

Risky ferry crossings between islands

Crossing straits like the Great Belt by ferry was often dangerous and slow; travelers might wait days for favorable weather, and transporting horses on small boats made the passage particularly unpleasant.

What it cost

Prices of poultry in 1510

In 1510, a goose could be purchased for 1 skilling dansk, while a hen cost 6 penninge dansk.