Introduction

Stockfish production and export played a crucial role in the economic and social development of medieval north-Norwegian society. By 1100, parts of the Arctic population of what was becoming Norway had taken part in a European commercial economy for centuries through small-scale trading. Pinpointing when stockfish rose to be the most crucial Norwegian export commodity, cementing the Arctic coastal population as partakers in a well-organized international system of trade, is difficult. Conclusions vary depending on the sources employed, but, by the fourteenth century, stockfish was the dominant commodity in trade with England and Germany, making up 80 per cent or more of the monetary value of cargo originating from Norway. The success of stockfish as a commodity is a combination of several factors. The Lofoten archipelago was the main breeding ground of the Arctic cod, but cod fishing was not restricted to this area. The climatic conditions in late winter and early spring along the Arctic coast are ideal for drying and conserving the fish without salt. Nearly devoid of water, stockfish weighs very little compared to its nutritional value (five times that of fresh fish), and stays edible for at least five years if kept dry. Its sturdy nature also facilitates easy handling and transportation. Finally, it was among the foodstuffs people could eat during Lent and other fasting periods.