Byzantine glass vessels were imported to Trondheim already at the end of the 12th century, after which the use of glasses lessened and then increased again in the Late Middle Ages. At the turn of the 16th century, especially the small Maigelein and the very low Krautsrünke (‘cabbage-stalk glasses’) were favoured in Trondheim — perhaps because they endured the stormy journey to the North better than any other glasses. During Renaissance drinking in Trondheim was commonly celebrated with Passgläser, Römers and exquisite facon de Venise goblets. Most of Trondheim’s oldest glass finds have been recovered from the excavations of the archbishop’s palace, although glass was also used in the town itself.
