In the 1100s, Norwegian merchants expanded the trade of stockfish, or dried cod, to continental Europe through Hanseatic trade networks. This trade not only provided a vital food source but also established economic ties between Norway and other European regions. The success of the stockfish trade played a crucial role in the development of Norway's economy and its integration into the broader European market.

Strengthened North Atlantic maritime trade narratives that influenced medieval and later poetry celebrating seafaring merchants and northern economies. Poets like Sir Walter Raleigh and John Milton drew on themes of exploration and commerce, reflecting the interconnectedness of cultures.