Premodern Translocals: German Merchant Diaspora Between Kalmar and Northern German Towns (1250–1500)

6 Material Culture and Diasporic Experiences: A Case of Medieval Hanse Merchants in the Baltic

“…Later that year Henrik changed places with Gödeke, whose decision to re‐migrate was likely caused by anticipated retirement. This arrangement allowed these family members to oversee and coordinate their business operations involving trade with Lüneburg salt, Flemish cloth and Swedish butter and hides on the Kalmar‐Lübeck route (Koppe ; Lechner ; Naum ; SDHK 7811). These business connections and intensive communication meant that partners were well informed about financial as well as political and social events at each other's places of operation.…”

“…They participated actively in political, social, and economic life in the town, and interacted and socialized with Swedish merchants, craftsmen, and castle personnel. Yet, members of the German diaspora shared a sense of particularity that was expressed in certain social and economic practices, such as the preference of finding marriage and business partners within their own group and celebration of particular holidays (KSTb ; Lamberg :94‐95; Naum ). Everyday life in the German diaspora involved navigation between these categories of sameness and difference in relation to Swedish speakers of the town.…”

“…These policies helped members of the German diaspora in Tallinn to construct and maintain their particularism. Similarly to the Hanseatic community in Kalmar, German burghers in Tallinn formed a tightly knit community based on a shared lifestyle, culture and language (Naum , ). Unlike in Kalmar, however, Tallinn's diaspora created a political and legal apparatus that allowed establishing, defining and guarding the boundaries of the community.…”

“…Continental household goods were easily available in both towns. The most abundant example is pottery, and the visible presence of German stoneware imported from various production centers, continental lead‐glazed jugs and serving dishes indicates a replication of the culture of dining and degrees of persistence in the sphere of foodways and diet (Naum , ). The cogs destined for Kalmar and Tallinn were laden with not only these ceramics, but also salt, cloth, hopped beer, wine and spices.…”

“…The cogs destined for Kalmar and Tallinn were laden with not only these ceramics, but also salt, cloth, hopped beer, wine and spices. Shipping documents, citizens’ wills and inventories as well as archaeological finds indicate that these ships also contained a substantial cargo of small goods, including metal kettles, decorative silver and pewter spoons, glass vessels, and other household articles and trinkets (Gaimster 1999; Naum ; Seeberg‐Elverfeldt ; Selling :336–360). Gerd Satzem, who lived in a stone diele‐dornse house at Lai Street in Tallinn, considered multiple pieces of silver tableware, silver bowls, two beds and bedding, and gold jewelry to be his most valuable possessions (Seeberg‐Elverfeldt :73–74).…”