Dorothea of Denmark, Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg

What people wore

Practical Working Clothing for Peasants

Working peasants often wore simple, practical clothing such as linen shirts, wool tunics, hose, and aprons, while stripping down to their linen braies for fieldwork.

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 instruments at festivals

Common folk instruments included the shawm, flute, bagpipes, and drums, which were used to provide music for weddings and social festivals.

At the table

Limited Access to Fresh Meat

Fresh meat was rare for commoners, who typically relied on salted meat for most of the year, reserving fresh meat primarily for the Christmas season.

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

Wages for court servants in Hesse

In the mid-16th century, a gunner serving the Landgrave of Hesse at the court in Kassel received an annual salary of 24 to 32 gulden, plus benefits like Hofkleider (court clothing) and food.