When researching my second Alexander Baxby novel Naming the Dead, set in early 17th century Amsterdam, I talked with lots of people from the Netherlands about their country’s history. However much or little they knew about the so-called Dutch Golden Age, most wanted to know if I mentioned herrings. Like their neighbours, they have eaten cod and other North Sea species since medieval times, but herrings became a particular Dutch favourite and important export.
The country’s fisherman discovered a different way of preserving herring soon after they were caught, which improved the flavour and meant they could be sold at a higher price. By the time of my novels, the Dutch herring fleet was the largest in the world, typically setting off for the North Sea fishing grounds in late spring and returning in late summer.
Whole families put to sail in buss boats, with distinctive high
foremasts and rounded fronts, then transferred their catch to larger factory
ships for processing. Dutch warships accompanied the fleet to protect it from
Dunkirker pirates and other rivals. The herring industry’s increasing importance to the Dutch economy led to improvements in ship-building and naval
expansion too.
Fish were transported back to Amsterdam, with many packed
at the tapering Haringpakkerstoren (Herring Packers Tower) at the
western extremity of the harbourfront. Although no longer standing, the landmark
features in many paintings from the Dutch Golden Age.
Naming in Blood (Baxby Mystery #2) is available on Kindle Unlimited and to buy at UK Link and US Link