There are two pillars in Lincoln Cathedral which are remarkably similar in design to those in Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway. This suggests an exchange of ideas between the two countries, a practice which has continued with masons from Lincoln visiting Trondheim and vice versa.

This illumination reflects medieval trade between England and Norway. The image of the boat is taken from a thirteenth century seal. The gilded design was inspired, in part, by the beautiful wood carving in Urnes Stave Church, Norway, and incorporates trade items – falcons, honey, wheat, horns, salt, dried fish, fur and rope.