HANSEATIC LEAGUE
An association of North German trading towns (the Hansa) was established in 1282. This prepared the way for the Hanseatic League which was formed to protect their economic interests overseas. By the mid 14th century, the League, comprising some hundred towns, had become a powerful corporate body and was able to establish trading monopolies in much of North East Europe. Bergen was one of the four principle stations of the League the influence of whose merchants may be clearly seen in the buildings on the map of Bergen. The League faced considerable opposition from Denmark and England, with which it conducted a number of trade wars. At the end of the 15th Century its power was wanning due to the rise of the non German Baltic states and changing trade routes. It was finally dissolved in 1669.
Bergen
