Meet the Middle Ages
BackAn ordinary day in town
What was life like for a craftsman and his family, on an ordinary day in town?
Mattias, Lars and Cecilia are the children of the tin founder Björn and his wife Hillegund. A journeyman and an apprentice learning the craft are also members of the household. Since they are fairly well off, they also employ a housekeeper and a male servant. They live in one of the best streets in town. Facing the street is the foundry where Björn works. Behind it is the family dwelling house which has a kitchen and a "living-room" on the ground floor and a chamber and bedrooms on the second floor. In the yard, there are also a couple of small buildings; a brewing-house, a cow-shed, a building were cooking can be done, and a privy (out-of-door toilet).
They have breakfast together in the living room. After saying grace, they eat porridge from the same bowl. They also have some bread and pork, which is washed down with water and beer. After breakfast, Björn goes to his foundry together with the journeyman and the apprentice. Mattias is eleven years old and helps, too. Björn is making pewter jugs, which are part of a nice new set for a merchant. The journeyman is making moulds for the crosses which will be sold to city-dwellers and peasants. The apprentice and Mattias keep the fire going with the bellows.
Hillegund is making a new dress for herself from new fine cloth bought from Flanders. The servant goes off to take care of the cabbage garden just outside town. The housekeeper looks after the hens and the pig in the yard.
Lars and Cecilia are nine and seven years old. They run into town to play after breakfast. Soon they meet their friends and go down to the harbour. Perhaps a new ship has come in? Later in the day, they meet their mother Hillegund and the housekeeper in the market-place. They are buying flour, meat and vegetables for the family. As they are leaving, the church bells ring, announcing that it is time for a prayer. Together they enter the church to attend a short prayer service.
When they return home, Hillegund inspects the beer which is being brewed. The family’s main meal consists of pea-soup, boiled turnips, bread with sausage and a lot of beer. Had it been a Friday, they would have eaten fish, either fresh, salted or dried.
After a game of Hnefatafl (a popular board game) and short evening prayers, the children, and then the adults, go to their warm and cosy beds. Björn will not sleep tonight, though, because he has to do his duty as a fire-guard in the quiet and peaceful town.