Charles XI of Sweden

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.

Daily life

Education and religious instruction

Formal schooling was primarily for boys, while nobility often hired private tutors for their children. By 1686, parish clergy became responsible for organizing local education, which focused on Lutheran religious instruction and basic literacy taught by the parish clerk.

Work

Seasonal limits on working days

Construction work was highly seasonal, with nearly 20% of paid work days occurring in July and very little during winter. Workers rarely managed more than 140 to 150 days of paid labor in a year.

Music

Popular dances at social gatherings

Social gatherings frequently featured dance, with popular forms including the sarabande, courante, and polsk dans, often performed to instrumental music.

At the table

Salads were served warm, not cold

While modern salads are eaten cold, 17th-century Swedes ate warm salads consisting of boiled, sliced, and peeled root vegetables like carrots and beets, seasoned with olive oil, vinegar, and black pepper.

Getting around

Summer riding and winter sledding

In summer, most travel was done on horseback, as roads were frequently narrow, rocky paths unsuitable for carriages. During winter, travelers often used sleds to move quickly over frozen lakes and marshes, which provided smoother routes than land.

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.