Lovisa Hedvig of Sweden

What people wore

Layered skirts indicated status

Women often wore several skirts layered on top of each other to mark their social status and provide extra warmth, with thicker underskirts sometimes reaching the thickness of a blanket.

Getting around

The mandatory horse-switching system at inns

Travelers relied on a system of roadside inns, where they were required to switch horses at every station to continue their journey. If no horses were available, travelers had to wait or search for replacements from nearby farms, which could take hours.

At the table

Home-distilled brandy was consumed daily

Brandy was widely consumed, with a still often found on every farm until the practice was banned in 1855.

Music

The dominance of the polska dance

By the mid-19th century, the polska had evolved as the primary dance and tune style for the fiddle in Sweden's provinces.

Daily life

Fetching daily water supplies

Water had to be fetched manually from a spring or well before dark, as it was considered bad practice to draw it after nightfall. Once inside, a hot coal was sometimes thrown into the water bucket.

What it cost

Budgeting for food and housing

From the 17th century through the early 19th century, ordinary wage earners typically spent approximately 80 to 85 percent of their income on food and housing. The remaining small portion had to cover essential costs for clothing and footwear.