Conrad von Reventlow

Conrad, Count von Reventlow was a Danish statesman who was "Grand Chancellor of Denmark", a predecessor title of the Prime Minister of Denmark, from 1699 until his death. His chancellorship occurred during the reign of King Frederick IV.

Cost of footwear and livestock

In the 1640s, a pair of new shoes was valued at one daler, while an ox cost between 8 and 13 daler.

Amager women required eleven aprons

Women in the village of Store Magleby on Amager needed to own at least 11 different aprons to have an appropriate outfit for every occasion.

Payment customs for public musicians

Musicians were paid set fees for performances at public events, but they often received extra coins when a plate was passed among the guests.

Popular musical instruments of the era

Common people frequently used the recorder, bagpipe, shawm, and harp, while the lute, zither, and clavichord were considered noble instruments.

Large-scale royal transport logistics

Official transport was highly organized; in 1643, a royal journey for Prince Christian required 57 carriages, necessitating help from local farmers to provide enough horses and vehicles.

Memorable royal logistics and animal transport

Large-scale royal travel was logistically demanding; for example, a 1643 trip by Prince Christian through Køge required the mobilization of 57 wagons in a single day. Another unusual journey involved a dromedary being led from Copenhagen to Køge in 1653, with a boy guiding the animal while a stableman rode alongside on a horse.

Lack of schooling for children

Children in Nyboder received no schooling in the 17th century and were instead made to work away from home.

Open fires and smoky kitchens

Many farmhouses lacked chimneys, relying on open fires on the floor with a smoke exit hole in the roof, which made cooking smoky and eyes sore.

Beer was the standard daily beverage

Ordinary families in Denmark drank beer throughout the day, including children, because fresh water was often not available or unsafe. An adult was expected to consume at least twelve barrels of beer annually.

Daily diet relied on porridge and kale

Daily meals for ordinary people were simple and centered on staples like porridge and bread, while kale was a crucial winter vitamin source because it could survive outdoors year-round. Porridge and bread were essential parts of every meal, and meat or fish were consumed when available, often salted or dried.

Food prices in the 1640s

During the 1640s, a pound of coarse rye bread in cities cost about 3 skilling, while a goose cost approximately 20 skilling.

Wages for laborers and craftsmen

In the 1640s, a laborer typically earned about 20 skilling per day, while skilled craftsmen like masons or carpenters earned around 32 skilling.

Compulsory labor on manors

Tenant farmers were often required to perform compulsory labor for landlords, which included bringing their own tools and horses for tasks like plowing, sowing, harvesting, and transporting fuel or manure. These duties, known as servitude, could be intensive during peak farming seasons, though farmers could sometimes send a servant in their place outside of these times.

Economic disparity and side jobs

Wealthy farmers might own luxuries like silver cups and spoons, while cottars without land struggled for survival, sometimes becoming day laborers who were paid primarily in food. Despite social expectations, some peasants engaged in illicit trade, such as selling fish or goods from other countries to earn extra money.

Establishment of the Danish Postal Service

Denmark's formal postal service, established by Christian IV in 1624, connected major cities with routes like the one from Copenhagen to Hamburg. Initially, mail was mostly carried by foot, but the use of mounted riders increased significantly after 1640.

Organized postal routes and costs

The national postal service used fixed routes served by mail coaches and riders, though postage costs remained high for ordinary people.