321. Agreement for Mutual Protection between Lübeck and Hamburg, 1241.

Keutgen, no. 428.

The advocate, council and commune of Lübeck.... We have made the following agreement with our dear friends, the citizens of Hamburg.

  1. If robbers or other depredators attack citizens of either city anywhere from the mouth of the Trave river to Hamburg, or anywhere on the Elbe river, the two cities shall bear the expenses equally in destroying and extirpating them.
  2. If anyone who lives outside the city, kills, wounds, beats, or mishandles, without cause, a citizen of either city, the two cities shall bear the expenses equally in punishing the offender. We furthermore agree to share the expenses equally in punishing those who injure their citizens in the neighborhood of their city and those who injure our citizens in the neighborhood of our city.
  3. If any of their citizens are injured near our city [Lübeck], they shall ask our officials to punish the offender, and if any of our citizens are injured near their city [Hamburg], they shall ask their officials to punish the offender.

322. Lübeck, Rostock, and Wismar Proscribe Pirates, 1259.

Keutgen, no. 429.

To all the faithful subjects of Christ.... The communes of Lübeck, Rostock, and Wismar.... Since most merchants are not protected on the sea from pirates and robbers, we have, in a common council, decreed, and by this writing declare, that all who rob merchants in churches, in cemeteries, or on the water or on the land, shall be outlawed and proscribed by all cities and merchants. No matter where these robbers go with their booty, whatever city or land receives them shall be held equally guilty with them, and proscribed by all the cities and merchants....

323. Decrees of the Hanseatic League, 1260–64.

Keutgen, no. 430 a.

We wish to inform you of the action taken in support of all merchants who are governed by the law of Lübeck.