Prince Gustaf, Duke of Uppland

At the table

Home-distilled brandy was consumed daily

Brandy was widely consumed, with a still often found on every farm until the practice was banned in 1855.

What people wore

Leather scarcity forced many to go barefoot

Leather was so scarce that it was often prioritized for protective aprons, leading many people to go barefoot from snowmelt until late autumn to save their shoes. Some individuals even applied layers of tar to the soles of their feet to endure walking on rough terrain.

Getting around

Rise of steamship travel

Steamboat routes began covering the Norwegian coast in the 1820s and 1830s, offering a modern alternative to land travel.

What it cost

Budgeting for food and housing

From the 17th century through the early 19th century, ordinary wage earners typically spent approximately 80 to 85 percent of their income on food and housing. The remaining small portion had to cover essential costs for clothing and footwear.

Music

The long-distance vocal technique kulning

Women working at mountain pastures used a distinctive high-pitched vocal technique called kulning to communicate with animals and people over distances of up to 5 kilometers.

Daily life

Fetching and heating water

Water for the household had to be fetched from a spring before dark, as it was considered unlucky or unsafe to do so at night. If water needed to be warmed for tasks, a glowing ember was sometimes dropped directly into the bucket.