12th-15th AD

The dawn and the fall of the German Hanseatic League

Hanse - German Hanse, old German Hanse, the German trade union city, founded in the mid 12th century and functioned until the 17th century. The original association with Hansa Hansa Union expanded to cities (see the black box on the map), which traded and promoted its interests in foreign countries, even against their own rulers.
 

Dawn - In the Middle Ages lacked empire (today Germany, parts of France and Poland) strong royal power, which would secure the interests of the cities, as it was in England or France. German cities was thus forced to protect itself against arbitrary local princes, robber barons, pirates, etc. To this end, and also to promote the economic interests of the city was founded Union. The largest and most important of them was the North German Hanseatic League. Hanza merchants association was originally from the Swedish Gotland. In the 13th century was presented as a guild cities. In 1282 a German Hanseatic League was joining the local prosperous commercial centers such as Cologne, Hamburg and Lübeck. Eventually, she joined other cities. During its heyday had hanza approximately 80 members, including Bremen, Rostock, Wismar, Gdansk, Riga, Tallinn and more. Hanza traded in from western Russia through Northern Europe, the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean Sea.

The Golden Age - Guild Hall secured a monopoly on trade between England, Holland, Scandinavia, Livonia and Russia. His Faktoria (commercial and administrative center) established throughout northern Europe. In Novgorod to the Court of St. Peter Steel Yard in London, another center was in Bruges, Bergen, Stockholm and Kaunas. The Hansa Eastern Europe exported grain, leather, furs, honey, wax, wood, herring, etc. From the west, cloth, metal products, wine and luxury goods from Italy and southern France. Mediterranean from merchants imported from the Orient hanza spices, fabrics, jewelry, furs, ivory and other luxuries. During the boom in the 14th century Hanseatic League was an independent political and military force, which led the war, concluding peace and followed diplomatic relations with many countries. In the years 1367-1370 Guild Hall and Sweden was at war with Denmark, which interfere privileges. After the peace gained control of the Hanseatic League Sundskými straits, and also the right to choose the Danish king. Lübeck was the main Faktoria Hanseatic city. Here were held rallies and decided to discuss common issues. Hanza had a common treasury, because the army and the fleet consisted of military and naval forces of the cities, or were hired mercenaries. Hanza in their sphere of influence, also went on pirate attacks.

Fall - from the late 15th century began to influence Hansa decline. The cause was a deep split in the league, where every town defend only their own benefit. Thanks to hanza gradually losing monopoly, influence and privileges of foreign trade of England, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia. 1494 was concluded Faktoria in Novgorod in 1578 followed by London, etc. The influence Hansa quickly faded, and many cities of the association performed. The last congress was held in 1669.

Ships

Photo-Video Gallery: Ships of the German Hanseatic League

Cog, cogge - commercial and naval vessels. The design was based on Viking Knarr. The ship was 30 meters long and the width of the third length. The ship was due to his bachratosti move too much, but had a high load capacity up to 400 tons of cargo. At the rear was originally steering oar, which was probably in the 12th century. replaced by lifting the lever helm. Generally smaller Kogyo was faster and used as warships. The fact is that even merchant ships were able to prevent the attack. Against vikingskému pattern Koga had higher sides and the bow and stern castles, used in battles shooters of longbows, crossbows and arquebuses. The number of oars and sails increased importance. Early cog had only one mast with one square sails, but the influence of trade in the Mediterranean, probably in the 15th century., I had three masts with several square and one lateen sail. The ships were also armed with guns. The fuselage was formed pickets imposed together, the joints between them were stuffed with tow and deleting pitch or tar. The ships had a flat bottom, so it was possible influx aground at low tide and is easily interpreted. Koga was a model for the Mediterranean hulk that was stronger and more powerful. cog and the hulk were structurally similar and are often confused. Cog, however, had depression in the curb, dating back to Viking Knarr construction.

Hulk - commercial and warship of the 15th century, a type derived from the Hanseatic Kogyo. Hulk from Kogyo differed in several structural elements, but both ships are often used interchangeably. Hulk was robust bulky three mast sailboat design firm with clinker plating and against cog had a higher carrying capacity. She had depression in the curb and his hips were horizontal.

Photo-Video Gallery: Ships of the German Hanseatic League

Photo-Video Gallery: Ships of the German Hanseatic League