Section 195. THE HANSE. II.
Reading edition
In Russia the Hanse found a valuable and most virgin field[1] for its commercial enterprises. Thence it drew[2] large supplies of timber, flax, hemp, ropes, skins, furs, wax, and tallow; bestowing in return[3] (for the trade was only one of barter), salt, herrings, and coarse cloth, for the mass of the peasants; and[4] brocades, jewels, wines, and other articles of luxury, for the wealthy boyards and princes. A factory at Novgorod conducted these transactions. Another factory at Bergen placed the Hanse in direct contact[5] with Norway and Sweden. This was an establishment of considerable magnitude, comprising twenty-two courts, and serving not only as a lodging for the staff of agents and clerks[6], but as a warehouse[7] for the goods. The chief exports from this quarter were[8] timber, resin, sperm oil, and, above all[9], salted fish—a (S. 53, N. 9) commodity[10] in great demand at a time when Europe was still Catholic and fasted faithfully on the appointed days. The Hanse had[11] two other large factories, one in Bruges, employing three hundred agents, and another in London.
Year by year[12] the Hanse grew more rich and powerful. New branches of business were opened up, new factories were founded. Kings and princes were glad[13] to be on good terms with so influential a body. Ambassadors from the Kings of England, France, Sweden, and Denmark, and even from the Emperor himself, waited on[14] the Diet, to ask[15] favours, and to offer trading privileges in return. The original object of the league—mutual protection—was reasonable and legitimate, but was gradually expanded into[16] a policy of forcible aggression and imperious monopoly. Not only were foreigners, in[17] their voyages to (S. 72, N. 4) the Hanse towns, compelled to employ Hanseatic ships, but[18] the commerce of the north-east and west of Europe was almost exclusively in the hands of the league.