Princess Ingeborg of Denmark

Princess Ingeborg of Denmark was a Princess of Sweden by marriage to Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland.

Heavy Hat for Amager Men

The Dutch-style hat worn by Amager men was made from angora goat hair and weighed 10 lbs.

Wardrobe Requirements for Amager Women

Women in the Amager region needed at least 11 different aprons to have a proper outfit for every occasion.

Transition in Danish folk dances and instruments

During the 19th century, traditional folk dances like the minuet and polska gradually declined in popularity, while newer round dances such as the polka, waltz, and mazurka became widespread. Violin and wind instruments like the clarinet and flute were preferred for these dances.

Weddings and musician payment in 19th-century Denmark

In the late 19th century, weddings were the most important festive occasions, often lasting two to three days with dancing until dawn. Guests might pay the musicians 3 to 6 marks per plate during these celebrations.

Railway speed versus stagecoaches

In 1876, the new railway reduced the travel time between Odense and Svendborg from 5.5 hours by stagecoach to 95-100 minutes by passenger train.

Expansion of the railway network

The Danish railway network grew to nearly 4,000 kilometers by 1914, and in 1883, train ferries were introduced on the Great Belt to improve competitiveness.

Low wages for domestic help

A maidservant, who might serve a family faithfully for a lifetime, earned only 6–8 kroner per month.

Spirits used for cleaning

Because spirits were inexpensive, they were commonly used for household chores, such as washing children's feet when they became dark from black stockings or cleaning windows.

Poverty limited working-class diet

In 1872, a mother could earn 25 øre by making 500 small fire starters, which was only enough to buy a quarter of a rye bread and 2 kg of fat for the family. Because of extreme poverty, many working-class families had to rely on fat-smeared bread when they could not afford hot meals.

Earnings and food costs for children

A child in 1882 could earn 25 øre for 500 small fire-starters, an amount that could buy only a quarter of a loaf of rye bread and 2 kilograms of fat.

Earnings from making fire-lighters

A mother could earn 25 øre by making 500 small fire-lighters, which was just enough to buy a quarter of a loaf of rye bread and 2 kg of fat.

Budget of a Copenhagen worker's family, 1872

In 1872, a worker in Copenhagen earning 14 kroner per week had to prioritize spending on food, as feeding each child cost an additional 90 kroner annually.

Gender wage gap in Denmark

Female workers were paid only 40 to 50 percent of the wages earned by their male counterparts during this period.

Stunted growth caused by poverty

The term kummerformer was used to describe the stunted physical appearance of farm workers, as their meager wages were insufficient to keep hunger at bay despite their hard work.