1-152-537 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

'The Steel Yard in Thames Street, headquarters of the Hanse Merchants or Esterlings in London, England as it appeared in 1667'. The Hanseatic League was an alliance of about 100 north German towns and trading interests important in northern Europe from the 13th century. At the peak of its influence in the late 14th century the League enjoyed a virtual monopoly of trade in Scandinavia and the Baltic, but its power declined from the 15th century and its last Diet (assembly) met in 1669.