John, King of Denmark

Hans, or sometimes called John, was a Scandinavian monarch who ruled under the Kalmar Union. He was King of Denmark from 1482 to 1513, King of Norway from 1483 to 1513, and King of Sweden from 1497 to 1501. Additionally, from 1482 to 1513, he held the titles of Duke of Schleswig and Holstein, which he governed jointly with his brother, Frederick.

DIY footwear for everyday use

Simple, practical footwear for daily use could be made by anyone with just a piece of animal skin, a knife to punch holes, and string to tie it around the ankle.

Homemade clothing and purchased finery

Ordinary people often made their own clothing at home from materials like wool, linen, and animal skins, while finer items like silk or damask were purchased for special occasions.

Music and Games in Daily Life

During the 16th century, the term playing (at lege) was used for both music, dice, and cards, while flute, shawm, and organ were common instruments at festivities.

Pipes and Drums in Social Gatherings

Drums and pipes were used much more frequently than today, not only for military purposes but also at weddings and other social gatherings. A skilled musician, often called a piper, frequently played the pipe and small drum simultaneously.

Limited capacity of peasant wagons

Peasant wagons used for transport were very small, typically carrying only about 100 bricks or one to two barrels of grain per load.

Risky ferry crossings between islands

Crossing straits like the Great Belt by ferry was often dangerous and slow; travelers might wait days for favorable weather, and transporting horses on small boats made the passage particularly unpleasant.

Avoiding Drinking Water

It was common to avoid drinking water in Denmark; beer was preferred even by children because water was often considered unsafe due to poor sanitation and contamination in wells. If water had to be consumed, experts like Henrik Ranzau recommended boiling it slowly first to remove its impurities.

Childhood Education and Literacy

There was no compulsory schooling, but King Christian II's 1521 legislation encouraged the instruction of children in the Christian faith, reading, writing, and arithmetic. In practice, education was often informal, with parish priests or parents teaching the basics, while those aiming for the clergy might attend Latin schools in towns.

Beer as a daily thirst quencher

Because water quality was poor, ordinary families drank beer with every meal, including children; it was typically not strong and often quite sour.

Herring and kale as staples

Salted herring was a staple food for many, supplemented by kale as a crucial winter vegetable because it could survive outdoors all year.

Prices of poultry in 1510

In 1510, a goose could be purchased for 1 skilling dansk, while a hen cost 6 penninge dansk.

Beer as a dietary staple

Because unboiled water was often unhealthy and milk was scarce, beer was the most common daily drink for the population.

Demanding labour for ploughing

Ploughing was heavy work typically requiring four horses and two men to perform.

Courier Speeds and Verbal Messages

Royal couriers riding the fastest horses could travel up to 70 kilometers per day on long journeys. Because many letter carriers were illiterate, they often carried verbal messages to explain or supplement the written text.

News Delivery Was Slow and Unreliable

News delivery was highly unpredictable and slow; for instance, information about a planned attack on Viborg in 1511 took over two months to reach the Swedish regent during the summer. Letters could be delayed by weather, especially at sea, or fail to arrive entirely.