daughter Oldenburg

What people wore

Everyday clothing colors and materials

Peasant men wore non-dyed, greyish homespun clothes for everyday work, while women typically wore black or dark blue daily garments. Both genders commonly wore clogs for both everyday and festive activities.

Daily life

Limited schooling for ordinary children

In Copenhagen's Nyboder district, children often received no schooling and were instead sent to work, although boys enrolled in naval-related schools starting at age six eventually received higher quality education.

Work

Demanding nature of everyday work tasks

Compulsory labor for estate owners could be overwhelming, with some farmers complaining they had no free days. On baking days, women often began work at 2 or 3 a.m. to finish before the standard working day commenced.

Music

Civic musicians and their fees

In the late 17th century, civic musicians in towns held royal privileges to provide music for weddings and gatherings, charging 6 daler for violin music or up to 16 daler to include instruments like the trumpet and dulcian.

At the table

Excessive beer consumption across all classes

Beer was consumed in excess across all social classes, as tea, coffee, and chocolate were not yet common beverages.

Getting around

Slow travel on primitive roads

Travel was slow due to poor road conditions, with wagons typically moving at a speed of about 4 kilometers per hour. A full day's journey on these primitive dirt roads generally spanned approximately 33 kilometers, equivalent to 4 Danish miles of the time.

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.