The People of the Hansa

As a historical subject, the Hansa is largely ignored. As a literary subject, it is usually a small 'extra', a player you recognise but need not remember. Most, if asked, would be unable to envision them. Holbein left us two pictures from the 16th century but little else has survived. It has never found itself the setting of a serious book in English literature. So this book is unique.
The Hansa, a medieval association of German merchants, traded from Russia in the east to the Bay of Biscay …