Prince John of Denmark

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.

What people wore

Slitted fashion trends

By 1544, a popular, albeit impractical, fashion trend involved cutting long, narrow slits into clothing to reveal the layers worn underneath. Even young children were expected to wear these strange, cut-out garments as soon as they could walk.

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.

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

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.