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