The Hansa Towns

In bringing before the public what I believe to be the first History of the Hanseatic League, it gives me pleasure to think that the impetus to write it came from the United States. The work was suggested to me by my valued friend, Mr. G. H. Putnam, of New York, a citizen of the country in which the principle of federation is best understood and most thoroughly carried out. The Hansa was one of the earliest representatives of that federal spirit which will, beyond doubt, some day help to solve many of the heavy and grievous problems with which we of the Old World are struggling; but that day is not yet, and meantime we have much to learn both from the successes and failures of the past.

I have, of course, assumed in my readers some knowledge of German History, such as they can derive from Professor Bryce's inimitable "Holy Roman Empire," or from Baring-Gould's "Story of Germany," one of the earlier volumes of this series.

In conclusion, I desire to express my very cordial thanks to Dr. Otto Benecke, Keeper of the State Archives of the city of Hamburg, and to my uncle, Dr. Carl Leo, Syndic of the same town, for the generosity with which they have accorded me valuable assistance in the preparation of this volume. I have further to thank Miss L. Toulmin Smith for help in revision of the MS., and for many useful suggestions. To my sister, Miss Alice Zimmern, and to Dr. Richard Garnett, of the British Museum, I am indebted for aid in proof-reading.

HELEN ZIMMERN.

FLORENCE, March 1, 1889.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

PREFACE vii

PROEM 1-7

PERIOD I.

I. THE DAWN OF A GREAT TRADE GUILD 11-20

Teutonic Merchants, 15--Travelling in Early Times, 17--Origin of the Guilds, 19.

II. FEDERATION 21-29

The Story of "Winetha," 23--The Island of Gothland, 25--"Salt Kolberg," 27--Unhansing, 29.

III. FOREIGN TRADE 30-47

Social Conditions, 31--Enslavement of the Middle Class, 35--Italian Influences, 37--Burgher Home Rule, 43--League of the Baltic Towns, 45--The Title "Hansa," 47.

IV. THE HANSA FIGHTS 48-69

The Herring Fisheries, 49--Waldemar, 51--The First Attack, 53--Sack of Wisby, 55--Copenhagen Plundered, 57--Punishment of Wittenborg, 59--The Cologne Federation, 61--Growing Strength of the League, 63--Flight of Waldemar, 65--Treaty of Stralsund, 67--A Curious Chapter in History, 69.

PERIOD II.

THE HISTORY OF THE HANSEATIC LEAGUE, FROM 1370 TO THE PUBLIC PEACE OF 1495, DECREED IN GERMANY BY MAXIMILIAN I.

I. LÜBECK RECEIVES AN IMPERIAL VISITOR 73-81

Hesitation of Lübeck, 75--Procession from St. Gertrude's Chapel, 77--Lübeck Hospitality, 79--Records of the Visit, 81.

II. THE TOWNS IN THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY 82-125

The Ban of the Hansa, 83--Submission of Brunswick, 85--Prominence of the Cities, 87--Population of Lübeck, 89--Characteristics of the Germans, 91--Independence of the Towns, 93--The Maritime Ports, 95--Exports of the Hansa, 97--Conditions of Trade, 101--Specie, Credit, and Bills, 103--The Extent of Mediæval Trade, 105--The Churches and Religious Buildings, 107--Hanseatic Architecture and Art, 109--Science and Literature, 111--The May Emperor, 113--Customs, Restrictions, and Regulations, 117--Luxury in Dress, 119--The Town Council, 121--The Town-hall, 123--Mediæval Patriotism, 125.

III. THE VICTUAL BROTHERS 126-136

Plunder of Bergen, 127--Stortebeker, 129--Simon of Utrecht, 131--Execution of Stortebeker, 133.

IV. THE FACTORY OF BERGEN 137-147

History of Bergen, 139--Shoemaker's Alley, 141--Constitution of the Factory, 143--Barbarous Practices, 147.

V. THE HANSEATIC COMMERCE WITH DENMARK, SWEDEN, AND RUSSIA 148-162

Skânoe and Falsterbo, 149--The Pious Brotherhood of Malmö, 151--The Hansa at Novgorod, 153--The Court of St. Peter, 155--Furs, Metals, Honey, and Wax, 157--The Lombards versus the Hansa, 159--Ivan the Terrible Sacks Novgorod, 161.