Ayers/The German Ocean, 5. Merchants and their Impact

The fifth chapter seeks to explore the role of merchants in the wider North Sea economy. It identifies mercantile locations and examines the development of cargo shipping. The changing infrastructure requirements within ports are considered as are the topographical impacts that ensued. The probable organisational processes are also discussed. Evidence for port facilities considers a wide range of features, such as cranes, weigh-houses and trans-shipment via inland waterways and canals. The development of warehousing and the storage of goods in merchants’ houses is examined while the scale and movement of trade is assessed from archaeological evidence. Finally, the mercantile ‘world view’ is explored, examining the role of the merchant within medieval society.