The citizens of London and the German Hansa towns made this agreement in 1282, well before the formal establishment of the Hanseatic League in 1343. It illustrates the cooperative approach taken by the English in settling disagreements with the German merchants, thereby maintaining friendly relations.

Agreement of London and Hansa Towns

1282

In the tenth year of the reign of King Edward, son of Henry, Henry de Maleys being mayor of London, a contention arose between the mayor and citizens of London and the merchants of the German Hansa, concerning the gate called Bishopsgate, which was falling into ruin. For the mayor and citizens of London claimed that the merchants of the German Hansa were bound to repair this gate in return for the liberties granted to them; but the merchants said that they were not so bound.

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Then the lord king of England, at the suggestion of the aforesaid mayor and citizens, wrote to his treasurer and the barons of the treasury, and commanded them to call together the contending parties and inquire into the facts of the matter; and if they should find that the said merchants were bound to keep this gate in repair, they should compel the Germans to rebuild it.

When the two parties came before the treasurer and barons, the merchants could show no cause wherefore they should not make the repairs in question, especially since it is clearly prescribed in the liberty which they have from the aforesaid city that they should make them. Therefore the treasurer and barons did enjoin the mayor and council aforesaid that they compel the merchants to repair the gate in question.

The merchants, Gerard Merbade, alderman of the Hansa, Ludolph of Cusfeld, burgher of Cologne, Bertram, burgher of Hamburg, John of Erest, burgher of Tremoine, John of Dalen, burgher of Münster, did, for themselves and all their associates of the Hansa then dwelling in the city, promise to pay to the mayor and citizens of London for the present repairs of the gate 240 marks sterling. Further they agreed that they and their successors, merchants of the Hansa, would at all times repair the aforesaid gate whenever it should be necessary; and that when need should arise to defend the gate, they would furnish a third part of the guard, to hold it above, while the mayor and citizens furnished two thirds, to guard it below.

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The mayor and citizens confirmed to the merchants ... the liberties which they had possessed before this time, to be enjoyed by themselves and their successors forever. And, moreover, in consideration of the repairs and defense of the gate aforesaid, the citizens shall, so far as in them lies, hold their peace forever concerning the duty of watch and ward....

The mayor and citizens agreed that the merchants should have their own alderman as in former times, so that the alderman be free of the city aforesaid; provided that, after his election by the merchants, he be presented to the mayor and aldermen of the city, and swear to do right and justice to every man, according to the law and custom of the city.

Source: Robinson, James, ed. Readings in European History. Boston & New York: Ginn & Co., 1904.

Appears in

Hanseatic League; Germany, Federal Republic of; London (England)