Christian, Prince-Elect of Denmark

What people wore

Sumptuary laws for wedding jewelry

Sumptuary laws in 1606 restricted artisan brides to wearing only one gold necklace and a string of pearls, while wealthier women were permitted two necklaces.

Daily life

Drinking Beer Instead of Water

Water was often contaminated, so adults and children preferred to drink weak beer; it was sometimes even forbidden to drink from wells.

Work

Wealth and labor among the peasantry

Wealthier peasants, such as Peder and Karen from Solrød, displayed their success by owning luxury goods, including twenty silver spoons, six silver cups, and two silver pitchers. In contrast, many cottars with little land were forced to work as day labourers, often receiving payment in the form of food.

Music

Shawms, citherns, and flutes were popular

Instruments such as the shawm (skalmeje), cithern, and various flutes were popular in both public and private life. In some cases, people even used these for entertainment during drinking sessions, though such secular music was often viewed with hostility by the church.

At the table

Beer replaced water for all ages

Because drinking water was often unsafe, people of all ages drank thin, sour beer with their meals instead.

Getting around

Standard day's journey of four miles

A Danish mile, used as a measure for travel, was approximately 7.5 kilometers, and four miles were considered a standard day's journey.

What it cost

Rye bread price in the 1600s

In the 1600s, a pound of rye bread typically cost 1 to 2 skilling, though prices could rise significantly during grain shortages.