Hans is lucky to have come to Bergen by ship from Germany to learn a trade with the Hanseatic merchants. Back home in Bremen, his family knows that his future and income are now secured.
But it doesn’t come by itself! Hans must start at the very bottom, as a house boy. He helps with everything needed to keep the trading house clean and to make sure everyone who lives there gets food.
When Hans proves that he is strong, hardworking, and trustworthy, he can become a cabin boy and help load and unload goods from the ships arriving at and leaving Bryggen. He must also do well at school so he can pass the test to become a journeyman when he grows up.
The journeyman is the work leader for the boys in the schøtstue and teaches them reading, writing, and arithmetic. If Hans becomes a skilled journeyman, he may one day rise to the highest position at Bryggen—a merchant.
The merchant is the head of each trading house, and there are many of them on Bryggen. But even the merchant has a boss—and he is not even in Bergen!
He lives in one of the Hanseatic cities in Germany and owns the whole trading house: the principal. Sounds a bit like a prince, doesn’t it? At least he dresses almost like one!