The position of the Hanseatic League in Europe grew weaker during the 16th and 17th Centuries as various national governments gained stronger control over their own trade.

Norwegian merchants took over the first Hanseatic firms on Bryggen in 1630, and by 1740, only nine firms were left in German hands. Many of the German merchants became citizens of Bergen. On 17 October, 1754, the Norwegian Kontor was set up to replace the German Kontor.

The old system remained virtually unchanged, with the Norwegian Kontor adopting the Hanseatic regulations and methods of trade and German remained the everyday language. The disbanding of the Norwegian Kontor on 31 December, 1899, signalled the end of an old and unique way of trading.

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The Hanseatic League 1360-1754

Bryggen early history 1070 - 1360

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