Charles XI of Sweden

Charles XI or Carl was King of Sweden from 1660 until his death in 1697.

Strict fashion laws for commoners

During the 1600s, Swedish commoners were strictly forbidden from using silk fabrics or other exclusive materials in public, with violators facing fines or imprisonment on bread and water.

Instruments used by common people

During the 17th century, popular instruments for common people included the nyckelharpa, various drums, horns, and simple pipes, while bowed string instruments like the violin became increasingly common.

Popular dances at social gatherings

Social gatherings frequently featured dance, with popular forms including the sarabande, courante, and polsk dans, often performed to instrumental music.

Summer riding and winter sledding

In summer, most travel was done on horseback, as roads were frequently narrow, rocky paths unsuitable for carriages. During winter, travelers often used sleds to move quickly over frozen lakes and marshes, which provided smoother routes than land.

Boats faster than land travel

Boat travel between Stockholm and Uppsala was significantly faster than land, taking only one day by boat compared to three to eight days by road. These passenger vessels, known as 'jakts', were operated by rowers and sailors who used oars when winds were unfavorable.

Education and religious instruction

Formal schooling was primarily for boys, while nobility often hired private tutors for their children. By 1686, parish clergy became responsible for organizing local education, which focused on Lutheran religious instruction and basic literacy taught by the parish clerk.

Fetching water and limited light

Water had to be carried manually for both human and animal use; a single cow required 15 to 30 liters of water daily, which had to be fetched from a well. Cooking was done over an open fire or hearth, and on winter nights, families relied solely on the fire and occasionally a wax candle for light.

Common ingredients included pea soup and pork

A standard meal for many families often consisted of pea soup, bread, and pork, sometimes supplemented with boiled turnips or other root vegetables. If a family was well-off, they might eat from a shared bowl, with the meal frequently washed down with beer.

Daily beer consumption was remarkably high

Because access to pure water was limited, ordinary people consumed beer as a daily beverage, with consumption estimated at three to four liters per person each day.

Price of bread and meat in Ångermanland

In Ångermanland, a single loaf of bread was valued at 2 öre, while 1 liter of meat cost 24 öre.

Value of clothing items

Stolen trousers were valued at 6 or 8 öre, reflecting the high cost of clothing items in the 16th century.

Seasonal limits on working days

Construction work was highly seasonal, with nearly 20% of paid work days occurring in July and very little during winter. Workers rarely managed more than 140 to 150 days of paid labor in a year.

Daily wages for workers in the 1600s

In August, a worker could earn 12 öre for a nine-hour workday, while a full 12-hour day paid more.

The cost of a letter

By 1693, sending a letter of about 13 grams between Stockholm and Helsingborg cost 18 öre in copper coin, which was equivalent to the price of two jugs of beer. Private citizens gained the right to use the public post for this fee during the 1620s.

Post farmers ran with the mail

Letters were carried by post farmers, who had to run or walk at least 5 kilometers per hour between stations. They were strictly forbidden from talking along the way and had to deliver mail day and night without delay.