Elizabeth of Denmark, Duchess of Mecklenburg

At the table

Staple Diet of Bread and Porridge

Bread, porridge, and beer were staples for ordinary families, with bread often dipped into beer for a morning meal known as øllebrød.

What people wore

Homemade clothing and purchased finery

Ordinary people often made their own clothing at home from materials like wool, linen, and animal skins, while finer items like silk or damask were purchased for special occasions.

Getting around

Standard travel by foot or wagon

Ordinary people primarily traveled on foot or by horse-drawn peasant wagons, as standard travel distances were measured by a day's journey of approximately 50 to 70 kilometers.

What it cost

Grain pricing in 1525

In 1525, the price for a pound of grain was set at 20 skilling, which calculated to 1 skilling per skæppe.

Music

Music and Games in Daily Life

During the 16th century, the term playing (at lege) was used for both music, dice, and cards, while flute, shawm, and organ were common instruments at festivities.

Daily life

Avoiding Drinking Water

It was common to avoid drinking water in Denmark; beer was preferred even by children because water was often considered unsafe due to poor sanitation and contamination in wells. If water had to be consumed, experts like Henrik Ranzau recommended boiling it slowly first to remove its impurities.