Terracotta candlestick, probably made in Holland, c.1401-1500
This candlestick is a symbol of Hullâs links to other countries. The candlestick was made in an area known as the Low Countries. This includes Holland and Belgium.
With good links to the sea, Hull has always imported lots of goods from other countries. This candlestick may have been shipped to London first and then up the coast. Goods shipped into Hull at this time included wood, fish and wine. There were also luxury items like amber, tapestries and candlesticks.
This type of pottery is known as Low Countries redware. The Low Countries is an area of Europe that includes Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
During the medieval period rural areas inland were often more remote than coastal towns and ports. It was easier to travel by water and contact with other countries was nothing new. Hullâs direct international trade was mainly with its nearest neighbours across the sea. These were Scandinavia, Germany, the Low Countries and France.
In the early 14th century Hull had connections with the Low Countries more than with any other part of Europe. This was due to the major wool exports from Yorkshire. In the late 14th century wool became less important but the Low Countries were still an important trade link. Trade was now mostly through Calais with Flemish ships rarely coming direct to Hull.
Imports to Hull were always more varied than exports. They included foods, wine, raw materials and consumer goods. Fish was among the major imports from Scandinavia and Iceland. Wine and timber were also major imports.
Imports into Hull also included foreign manufactured goods for the wealthier people in society. There were cloth and linens from Holland and Germany and wooden and metal goods from Germany and France. Low Country pottery and stoneware industries provided pots, jars, dishes, tiles and candlesticks. Luxury goods were also imported such as amber, rosary beads, silk and tapestries as well as glass.
