In order to evaluate the relationship of the Hansa to the Nordic powers accurately, it must first be stated that the Hansa was not a firm federation but only a free community of interest. In the power politics of the North of Europe, therefore, it was not the Hanseatic League as such, but usually in- dividual towns or groups of towns from this great community which ap- peared as active factors. Further, one should not forget that the interests of...