Henri Vasa

At the table

Common ingredients included pea soup and pork

A standard meal for many families often consisted of pea soup, bread, and pork, sometimes supplemented with boiled turnips or other root vegetables. If a family was well-off, they might eat from a shared bowl, with the meal frequently washed down with beer.

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

Winter Sled Travel

Travel was significantly faster and more common in winter, as people used sleds to travel across frozen lakes and rivers. In some coastal regions, travelers could cover 7 to 9 mil (approximately 70 to 90 kilometers) in a single day.

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

Polska vs minuet for classes

The polska dance was recorded in 1673 and was considered suitable for peasants, unlike the upper-class minuet, which required graceful bows and movements.

Daily life

Simple homes with small windows

Homes were typically grey wooden buildings with turf roofs, and because glass windows were rare and expensive, they were often small and sometimes nailed shut. Inside, walls featured bare wooden logs, and the cold was managed by large fireplaces that often lacked dampers.