This series of portraits signals the increasing importance of the emerging merchant class, as they took their place on a world stage.

They took their place on a world stage, often maintaining permanent offices in the larger European or Asian cities, which were operated by agents or family members.

[5] The Steelyard, so named because of the weighing scales that had been housed there, was a walled enclosure on the North bank of the Thames, near London Bridge.

In addition to offices and warehouses, the Steelyard also included residences for the merchants, a guildhall, cloth halls, wine cellars and kitchens.

[6] In effect, the Steelyard was a separate and independent community, governed by the codes of the Hanseatic League, and enforced by the merchants' native cities.

[13] A summary of the symbols, and their probable meanings has been provided by Holman:[14] Giese's portrait was depicted on the 100,000 mark banknote of 1923 (pictured).