Copenhagen Complains – Conflict and Justice in the 18th Century

A fascinating lecture on everyday life and conflict resolution in 18th-century Copenhagen. Professor Ulrik Langen from the University of Copenhagen and archive director Peter Wessel Hansen from Copenhagen City Archives present a vivid story about Copenhagen's citizens, their complaint procedures, and their quest for justice.

Through handwritten complaint letters and protocols from Copenhagen City Archives, we gain insight into the concerns of ordinary people: money matters, working conditions, family problems, violent couples, disagreeable neighbours, broken sewers, and freezing homes. The complaints reveal everything from threats on the streets to defamation and workplace conflicts – and show how people in a society marked by strict hierarchies and social inequality sought to be heard and obtain justice.

The archives constitute an exceptional source material for understanding people, city, and society during this period.