Okay, let's set the scene. It's the 14th century, and England is a major producer of wool, the super-fabric of the Middle Ages. Who wants it? Everyone, but especially the wealthy cities of Northern Europe, banded together in the Hanseatic League. Friedrich Schulz's book is the play-by-play of this 200-year business relationship. It starts with a king, Edward III, who's desperate for cash to fund his wars in France. The Hanse merchants have deep pockets and a huge fleet. A deal is struck: loans and logistical support in exchange for incredible trade privileges in England.

The Story

The story isn't about battles (well, not mostly), but about ledgers, treaties, and political pressure. Schulz walks us through how the Hanse's London base, the Steelyard, operated like a mini-Germany on the Thames. They paid lower taxes than English merchants and answered to their own laws. Naturally, this caused massive resentment. The book follows the constant push and pull: English kings and merchants trying to claw back control, and the Hanse using its economic muscle to slap down embargoes whenever its privileges were threatened. The tension builds through the Wars of the Roses and finally erupts under the Tudors, culminating with Henry VIII's dramatic expulsion of the League in the 16th century.

Why You Should Read It

What I love about this is how modern it feels. Strip away the doublets and galleys, and you've got a case study in globalization, special interest lobbying, and economic nationalism. You see English clothiers slowly figuring out how to bypass the Hanse middlemen, which is like an early industrial revolution. Schulz makes you understand that power isn't just about crowns and castles; it's about who controls the supply chain. You end up rooting for both sides at different times—for the savvy, networked Hanse merchants, and for the English trying to build their own economic destiny.

Final Verdict

This is a niche history book, no doubt. It's perfect for anyone fascinated by the hidden economic engines behind historical events, or fans of medieval history who want to look beyond kings and knights. If you enjoy books about the East India Company or the Medici bank, you'll see the earlier, grittier version of that story here. It's not a breezy beach read, but for the right reader, it's a gripping account of how money shaped a nation, long before the age of empires truly began.