Månglare

In the Middle Ages, the månglare were essentially the sales people who sold the goods of the merchants in the city markets.

The Law of 1623 stated that the profession of månglare should be reserved for poor city people in need of supporting themselves.

Typical goods sold by the månglare were fruit, birds, sea food, sausage, eggs, berries, nuts, chicken, cookies, cakes, sweets and pastries, non-valuable ornaments and decorations, knitted works, buttons, ribbons, cheap jewelry, sewing tools, collars, smaller clothing articles and second hand clothing and other used goods.

[7] Despite these regulations, there are examples of månglare who achieved remarkable success and became rich through their business, such as Maria Boberg.

[9] In the Decree of Extended Freedom of Trade (Sweden) of 1864, both the Guilds as well as the profession of månglare was dissolved and free trade established, enabling anyone with sufficient funds to start a business and to expand it freely, and many successful former månglare, such as Charlotta Christina Boberg and Johanna Strömberg, became shop owners.