Hanseatic Merchants

Hanseatic merchants were part of a powerful group of traders in Northern Europe during the late Middle Ages, particularly from the 13th to the 17th centuries. They belonged to the Hanseatic League, an alliance of city-states and trading towns that cooperated to protect mutual trade interests, establish trade routes, and ensure safe commerce across the North and Baltic Seas. Key cities included Lübeck, Hamburg, and Bruges. Their influence facilitated economic growth, cultural exchange, and the spread of ideas, making them vital players in the development of Europe's trade networks during that period.