Sophie Oldenburg

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

Managing Household Waste

When a toilet in a Copenhagen study house was cleaned in 1621, 131 loads of waste were removed, costing 34 dalers and 11 skilling. Households often relied on deep wells or barrels in the ground for waste, which had to be emptied when full.

Work

Mandatory unpaid labor for tenant farmers

In the mid-17th century, many tenant peasants were obligated to perform at least one day of unpaid labour per week for their landlords, known as weekday men. This work included strenuous tasks like felling trees, digging ditches, and repairing fences, sometimes even using their own horses and wagons.

Music

Rural instruments included bagpipes and drums

Among the rural population, common instruments included drone instruments like bagpipes and hurdy-gurdies, alongside drums and violin-like instruments such as the gig. These were often played at festivals and life celebrations, such as weddings and births.

At the table

Salted herring was a daily staple food

Ordinary people frequently ate salted herring for every meal, as it was a durable and accessible protein source.

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.