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 the Hansa towns were for the most part of a social and economic nature: they were not interested in national power politics. This is consistent with...