The individual, the collective and society: Abraham Brahe and his world 1590-1630

I use a biographical and microhistorical method to illuminate how the early 17th century Swedish society functioned in practice. The lack of distinction between public and private spheres is an important factor, and thus both traditionally “private” (family life, household economy) and “public” (office holding) aspects of life are treated. The focus is on everyday social interaction and the ways of thinking that informed it. The sorce material is mainly unprinted letters, completed by a few other sources such as calender notes.