Prince Frederick William of Hesse-Kassel

At the table

Respect for bread at the table

Dropping a piece of bread on the floor was considered a serious mistake; one had to pick it up, kiss it, and pray for forgiveness. Crumbling bread at the table was also forbidden.

What people wore

Wooden clogs were common footwear

Both men and women wore wooden clogs for both everyday activities and festive celebrations.

Getting around

Winter travel via ice boats

Passengers crossing the Great Belt in winter used ice boats, where men had to help pull the vessel across the ice while women were exempt.

What it cost

Marriage requirements and net worth

To obtain permission to marry, a couple often needed to prove a minimum net worth of 100 to 200 guilders.

Music

Christmas Parties and Social Gatherings

During Christmas, families gathered for parties known as julestuer, featuring parlor games like blind man's bluff which were often accompanied by singing. These events sometimes included a costly feast where guests were seated according to their social standing and relationship to the hosts.

Daily life

Cooking and Kitchen Life

In the first half of the 19th century, most families cooked over an open fireplace, and homes typically lacked private ovens, requiring residents to rely on bakers for oven-baked goods. Cast iron stoves with built-in ovens only began to replace open fireplaces in the second half of the century.