TRADING PLACES: An Interview with the Mierjewski Brothers

We catch up with the dynamic Hanseatic merchant duo who've been making waves in both Baltic and English waters

RENAISSANCE WEEKLY: Gentlemen, you're both successful merchants, but Jakob, you're the seafaring brother while Andrus runs the King's Lynn operation. How do you divide the business?

JAKOB: [leans back in his chair, gesturing with a pewter tankard]

Ah, it works perfectly! I love the sea, the adventure of new ports, new cargo. Andrus here, he loves the numbers, the ledgers, the relationships with local English merchants. We complement each other, ja?

ANDRUS: [chuckling]

What my brother means is that he gets restless if he stays on land more than a week! But seriously, it's a good arrangement. I handle the King's Lynn Kontor, maintain our warehouses, negotiate with the English wool merchants. Jakob brings me the honey and furs from Gdansk, takes back the fine English broadcloth. We both profit.

RW: Jakob, we hear you've taken quite an interest in mentoring young people - particularly a certain Jacques or Jack, who's now working with Dr. John Dee?

JAKOB: [eyes lighting up]

Ach, Jacques! That boy... when I found him he had limited English and could barely speak Polish at all. He was running from some terrible past. But he had this hunger to learn - arithmetic, navigation, trading. And such strength! And a big heart too - you should have seen him Dottore Cardano escape from London when the mob was after the Italian's hide.

[shakes head admiringly]

I invested his trading money for him while he was away - nearly tripled his money. Smart lad deserves success.

RW: Andrus, you helped him on his recent mysterious quest. Care to elaborate?

ANDRUS: [stroking his beard thoughtfully]

Well, I cannot say much about his business - trade secrets, you understand. But I will say this: when Jacques - or I suppose I should call him by his English name now - when Jack and his companion Katherine arrived at my door, they were clearly on important work. The girl had steel in her spine, and Jack... he's grown into quite the young man since his sailing days.

[glances at Jakob]

Our investment in people pays better dividends than any cargo, brother.

RW: Speaking of investments, how do you both view the English market versus your Baltic trade?

JAKOB: The English, they are hungry for our goods - our amber, our grain, our furs. And their wool! [kisses fingertips] Finest in the world.

But they can be... unpredictable. One day they welcome Hanse merchants, the next day apprentices are throwing stones at our Steelyard.

ANDRUS: [nodding]

The politics change like the weather. That's why we stay neutral, focus on honest trade. Religious wars, succession disputes - these things pass. But people always need food, clothing, tools. We provide what they need, take what they have in abundance. Simple.

RW: Any concerns about the current tensions in England?

ANDRUS: [leaning forward]

Look, we've weathered King Henry's changes, we'll weather whatever comes next. The secret is having friends in many ports, keeping your word, treating people fairly. When Jack needed help reaching his destination, we found a way. When English merchants need Baltic goods, we provide them. Politics... [waves dismissively] politics is for politicians.

RW: Jakob, what's it like having a brother as a business partner?

JAKOB: [grinning]

Terrible! He argues with me about every expenditure, questions my choice of cargo, worries constantly about the weather when I'm at sea... [pauses, expression softening] But I would trust no one else with my life's work. Family is everything, ja? Whether blood family like Andrus, or chosen family like young Jack.

RW: Any final wisdom for aspiring merchants?

ANDRUS: Learn languages, understand different customs, keep detailed records, and never promise what you cannot deliver.

JAKOB: [raising his tankard]

And remember - the sea connects all lands, all peoples. A good merchant builds bridges, not walls. 

To profitable winds and fair trading!

The Mierjewski brothers spoke with us at the King's Lynn Kontor, surrounded by ledgers, samples of fine wool, and the comfortable bustle of successful commerce. Despite their different temperaments, their mutual respect and shared dedication to both profit and people was evident throughout our conversation.