Hanseatic League

Refers to an association of Medieval German Cities and merchant groups. It was a confederacy based on defensive and commercial interests. It became a powerful economic and political force in northern Europe. The league dominated commercial activity in northern Europe from the 13th to the 15th centuries. The name "Hanse" was a medieval German word for "guild," or "association," derived from a Gothic word for "troop," or "company." At its height in the 14th century the Hanseatic League had a membership of about 100 towns, mostly German. It last met in 1669.