Hanseatic League

Union of cities, at one time ab. 100, of n.w. Germany and the Netherlands. They protected their commerce against pirates and highway robbers by their own fleets and land forces, and made favorable treaties with sovereigns through their own representatives. Beginning 1239, the Hansa reached its greatest power ab. 1500, and was divided into four circles, of which the capitals were Lübeck, Cologne, Brunswick, and Dantzic. The cities were represented in a triennial Diet, held usually at Lübeck. For many years the Hansa ruled the Baltic and the German Ocean. It promoted trade in many ways, established factories in foreign parts, and was joined by many cities in partial alliance, but soon declined, and was di olved 1630.