Women's work and wages in the sixteenth century and Sweden's position in the ‘little divergence’

Abstract We use a unique source from the Swedish royal demesnes to examine work and relative wages of women in sixteenth‐century Sweden, an economic laggard early modern period. The pertains workers hired on yearly contracts, type more representative historical labour markets than day large construction sites, this allows us observe directly food consumed by workers. speak debate ‘little divergence’ within Europe, as women's gender differentials pay is key indicator autonomy seen cause for ascendency North Sea region during find small among both unskilled skilled workers, indicating that Sweden was part ‘golden age’ women. argue despite superficial equality, outlooks were restrained many other ways – including their access higher‐skilled jobs expanding parts economy adding important nuance discussion about relationship between social position growth