- ARCHIVE - Ducal Court of Bremen

[HJ Tulp]

After listening to Chairman Kaufman von Straussenberg rose again.

"I think you have excellent ideas Mijnheer Kaufman. The taxes are good and if the TUNS wants to countertax us it will not be much of a problem for us.
About the deal with the portoguese, what does the council wants out of it? I would also like to ask about the state of the Sond Due. I heard rumors of Bremen controlling and taxing it. Is that true? If so then I think that is a excellent place to hit the TUNS hard.''

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Otto Kaufmann answered von Straussenbergs questions.

"Well, concerning the Portuguise, I would like the Hansa to become primary, preferable sole, centers for Portuguise shipping in Northern Germania.
I, speaking for Bremen, would want a Hanseatic Guild House in Lisbon, on much the same conditions as the one we hold in Barcelona. In return, the Portuguise could construct a guild house in Gelre, acting as center for their trade in France. and Germania. We could offer them reduced, but not eliminated, taxes, and request status as priority partners regarding the exotic goods brought home from the South.

The Sund due, you say. Yes, Bremen holds one coast of the Sund, and with the civil war in Denmark, we have started collecting the Due. Hanseatic and Wendischer ships are of course not taxed, and Bremen have allready used the Due as tool of negotiation, securing the English-Hanseatic Trade Supremacy agrement. To hit the Frisean union, and those Breton cities that join them by this means, sound like an excellent suggestion.
Should we warn TUNS that they're heading towards a confrontation, or should we act with special taxes before they can prepare?"

 

[unmerged(9167)]

Cardinal walked to the Duke and asked,

Ahh... My King has neglected to tell me of when this holy wedding would occur. Have you and King decided on the joyous day? Where is it goping to be helded? Cathedral of Bremen?

He wonders of when he could meet Archbishop that this Duke has spoke of.

 

[AugCaesar]

A sealed letter arrives, addressed simply to the councilman of the Hansa. It bears the seal of England.

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Otto Kaufmann broke the seal and read the letter. His face betrayed nio emotions, as he passed it to Daniel van Straussenberg, and later to Lord Waldo von Dagoberto from Hessen and Klaus van der Wreesel of Cologne, then to the other members of the Council.

When the last man had finished reading, Otto spoke.
"I find this most interesting. This surely makes an answer from Nantes even more important. I put forward the motion that no member of the Hansa can join the TUNS. Bremen votes for this proposal.
When we have voted on this, and ghave received an answer from Nantes, we must inform England of our reply. I suggest we offer full cooperation on this issue."

 

[Eu_proof]

First he had thought about sending a minon to Bremen but then, he thought he was the only who could talk for the city of Nantes all by himself. He stepped into the court and looked for Otto Kaufman. He found him,sitting along with the other members of the hansa, he spoke to him.

"I am Oliver de Frisand, the highest member of the town council of Nantes. I´ve understood you have called for a representive from Nantes so, here I am. Now, what is your trouble with the TUNS?"

 

[Herr Doctor]

A letter from Groningen arrives:

”Onto the Hanseatic Council,

We was very disappointed that Hansa together with her trade ally England started acts of aggression against our noble trade Union. We never tried to act against you or to do any declarations in such way. And now we can see all your last acts only like barbaric aggression against your Imperial brothers and Breton allies.

As it was stated before Frisia did not enter Hansa and will never do it as our holy ideals of free cities ruling can not be realized in you mercantilistic union which is completely in the hands of your corrupted dukes and oligarchy. However, it is not give you a right to treat our cities and our union in such aggressive ways.

I offer you to stop all talks about conflicts with the TUNS. We really do not wish this conflict and offered you cooperation. We do it the second time as you can note as the first time our offers was completely rejected…

With hope on friendship and cooperation,

Zander van der Brouk, Alderman of Union Council of the TUNS”​

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Otto Kaufmann greeted Oliver de Frisand, and answered his questions.

"Well, my primary problem with the TUNS is simple. They are yet another trade union, counting among their potential members the same cities and duchies we do, with the goal of increasing profits for their members by selling to the very markets we dominate, or try to dominate.
It is a simple fact of commerce that any given market only have so many potential customers, and for each and every good sold by a merchant nor from the Hansa, a Hanseatic merchants looses a customer.
So far, this have not presented a great problem, as our Union have presented us with a strong platfrom of negotiation, and we have secured advantages for our members in many areas. But Frisea attempts to duplicate this, and if they succed, we will loose market shares.
We could divide potential markets with them, but I fail to see why we should. Why divide the profit, when we can hold it all to ourself?
Nantes was the only Hanseatic city offered membership of the TUNS, and the entire goal of the Union is to act in the interest of all its members, instead of promoting one over the others. Thats why the Union at large have an interest that Nantes remains with us, rather than joining our competitors.

I would gladly welcome any Frisean city into our ranks. But first they have to stop trying to wrestle market shares from us."

 

[Eu_proof]

Oliver listened to the Bremer and thought a second. What was this man really trying to say?

"So you say that there could be no cooperation between the Hansa and the TUNS and that Nantes could not be able to join both. This is a trouble", he made a short pause and spoke again, "But the TUNS is just about the members don´t pay taxes in each others markets and I don´t see why that would be a problem to the Hansa though I understand fully you don´t want to loose your markets shares, but, and not to forget, would it be fair to kick Nantes out of the Hansa just because they want trade with another union and, is it really good that the Hansa dominates the European markets fully? Nantes would do anything to stay in both but if a choice is to be made, it will take time to take it"

 

[AugCaesar]

Richard Longchamp strode through the streets of Bremen, marvelling at the bustle and relative crowdidness. The city was rich and alive, busy with people selling and trading wares. Ignoring the squalor and stench of the streets he admired the castle up ahead as he finally arrived and was shown through the gate by the guards, his small accompaniment of two trailing behind him. Eventually they came into the court and were presented before the Duke.

"Your grace, I am Richard Longchamp, sent as emissary and consulate from his Majesty John III of England. My king feels that with our new tighter bonds of friendship and trade, it be fitting that he have a man in your court to addresss issues more efficiently. As such I am sent unto you to facilitate this relationship. My lord tells me he is greatly distressed over the divergance of interests emerging between the Hansa and this newly formed Union of the Frisian's and asks if there is any support England may give to your cause?"

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Otto continued his duscussion with Oliver.

"Well, the main problem is that TUNS is allready negotiating on behalf of their members, for instance in Portugal. And that before they have very many members, only the Frisean towns, and a few Brettons.
If it was just about freedom from taxes, then I wouldn't mind. But with the recent negotiations, we risk that Portugal grants the Friseans a monopoly on certain goods, and thus prevents our merchants from making a profit. The only solution to this would be that TUNS immediatly ceased all such attempts to negotiate as a block.
If not, then in a few years, we could witness a union with the power to challenge the Hansa, and if we waited untill then to take actions, said actions would have much harsher consequences.

You aks if Hanseatic dominance of European markets is such a good idea. To which I am forced to say yes, of course. Dominace of markets is good for the traders, who can maximize profits and for the rulers, who can enjoy the taxation from these profits.

Forcing Nantes to leave the Hansa has not yet been mentioned. But I fail to see why Nantes would even consider joining the TUNS in case of a conflict. Hanseatic membership grants far greater advantages, as we are allready established in several markets. We enjoy freedom from taxation in Burgundy. We have easy access to the English markets, something that TUNS is not likely to achieve. We control, through the cooperation with the Wendischers, trade in the Baltic. We have established routes deep into Imperial mainland, through our members in Hessen, Hannover and Cologne. Our ports dominate the coast of Northern Germania. Bremen controls the Sund, and offers free passage to Hanseatic members.
The Friseans can offer acces to a few ports, and freedom from taxation in Friesland only. They have yet to sign a single agrement. And the one they're close to signing, with Portugal, is more than matched by the Hanseatic deals with Aragon and the rising Italian Trade Union.

The North Sea is to small for two unions. And I say we let the Hansa be the one union the area can support."

 

[Eu_proof]

Oliver got back to the court after a nights sleep and listened to what the Bremer had to say. After that, he answered.

"Indeed the Hansa gives more profits than the TUNS could ever be able to do but is the Hansa really afraid of a new little tradae union? They could never kick the Hansa out of the market, and for Friesland, what interests does the Hansa have there? Why don´t you try to negotiate with TUNS to see if a solution could be made about trade in Portugal, it would benefit the both orginasitions more I think. The TUNS wishes for nothing more but a peacful trading in Europa and that, the Hansa would never stand against or?"

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Cardinal walked to the Duke and asked,

Ahh... My King has neglected to tell me of when this holy wedding would occur. Have you and King decided on the joyous day? Where is it goping to be helded? Cathedral of Bremen?

He wonders of when he could meet Archbishop that this Duke has spoke of.

Johann III had been busy the latest days. The problems with the Trade Union of the North Sea had taken much of his time, and he had just received words that he was to travel to Nurnberg, there to conduct a trial against the duchy of Hessen. But still he found time to answer the Aragonese Cardinal.

"Your Excellence. I am truly sorry for letting you wait, such was never my intention.
My son will reach marriageable age in december 1443, and it was my intention to conduct the marriage at his very birthday. No sense in delaying it any further.
The location will be the Cathedral of Bremen. I can fully understand if Your Excellence would prefer to travel home, concedering the long period untill the marriage shall take place.
It was my plan to invirte the first guests within a short time. This occasion would require the guests to travel to Bremen, and I for one plan to invite men such as my brother-in-law, Joachim of the Greif. These are men that needs to be able to plan leaving their lands far ahead.
Can I discuss the list of guests with you, or should I ask His Majesty in Aragon to send a list of whom he considers worthy of an invitation?"

 

[Herr Doctor]

A letter from Groningen arrives:

”Onto His Grace Duke Johann III of Bremen,

First of all I wish to say that I did not want to insult you and I had in mind only the system of the Hansa that is so far from the free trade and cities ideals… However, may be I was something angry when the news about your actions reached Groningen.

You ask what can the TUNS offer you?.. Let’s see some history… I remember the time when Hansa was so weak that was under the great danger from the Denmark, which tried to take all trade in the Baltics in their hands. And now your union is growth greatly because the great work of your people and Denmark was completely crushed down… So, I see that the main treasure is people and their work and not only paper trade pacts. The TUNS can give to the trade in our region a new rush of blood – ideas of free towns ruling. New members can find there what they will never receive in Hansa.

The other thing you afraid, as I noted, is that two unions will live in one region… But what is to WHU? I see that you find the way to unite with them not seeing on all disagreements between two unions.

Frisia has really great potential in the trade. At the time when Hansa have as members only about 10-15 big and middle trade towns, only Frisian members of the TUNS are about 10 of big and 11 small towns. Trade is a main business of our people, and what is more important – this people rule the state and the TUNS.

So, I offer you to open new era of the trade in Europe. We do not wish to “fight” with your noble union but also do not wish it to become the sole trade union in all Europe.

With respect,

Zander van der Brouk, Alderman of the TUNS”​

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Otto shook his head, then answered Oliver.
"Mein Herr, the Hansa is not an organization dedicated to promoting free trade and removing toll barriers. For all I am concerning, Europe could be a nightmare of taxes, tolls, tariffs and restritions to trade, as long as Hanseatic merchants are excepted. That is what the Hansa is about. Better terms for our members. More profit for our members. And for the duke and the city councils, its about a better base for taxation, due to increased profit.
I do not care for Friesland. They were offered to join this union, and they declined. That is their right, and I have no plans to force them into changing that. But if the Friseans try to create their own union, and interfere on our potential or existing markets, such as England and Portugal, then we are forced to act. And act we will.

The only time the Hansa has ever been in a trade conflict was when we entered into an embargo towards both England and Denmark, in fact to protect Nantes from Norman agression. We are willing to enter another conflict, this time against far less important markes, with far less impressive military at their disposal, if needed to protect our members and their profit."

 

[HJ Tulp]

Daniel von Straussenberg after hearing about the contend of the Friesian letter and the reply too Oliver from Kaufman nodded and rose to speak.

''Very well said Mijnheer Kaufmann. May I add that the reason for our treaty with the WHU was that firstly the Hansa was young and a trade war would have hurt us considerably. Secondly the WHU is in the Baltic area and not the North sea. Besides that the Hansa and the WHU are cooporating to a very large extent. See the treaty with Pskov for instance. Really Mijnheer *turning towards Oliver*, the TUNS has nothing to add to the Hansa. Why didn't the Friesians want to join the Hansa? Because they wish to overthrow the Hansa rule in the Northern trade, that's why. With the spice monopoly and the cheap import of ivory the TUNS could have build a bridgehead, in that way damaging our trade. Luckily our man in Lissabon managed to persuade the Portuguese Queen. We can expect visitors from Portugal soon.''

 

[unmerged(9167)]

Johann III had been busy the latest days. The problems with the Trade Union of the North Sea had taken much of his time, and he had just received words that he was to travel to Nurnberg, there to conduct a trial against the duchy of Hessen. But still he found time to answer the Aragonese Cardinal.

"Your Excellence. I am truly sorry for letting you wait, such was never my intention.
My son will reach marriageable age in december 1443, and it was my intention to conduct the marriage at his very birthday. No sense in delaying it any further.
The location will be the Cathedral of Bremen. I can fully understand if Your Excellence would prefer to travel home, concedering the long period untill the marriage shall take place.
It was my plan to invirte the first guests within a short time. This occasion would require the guests to travel to Bremen, and I for one plan to invite men such as my brother-in-law, Joachim of the Greif. These are men that needs to be able to plan leaving their lands far ahead.
Can I discuss the list of guests with you, or should I ask His Majesty in Aragon to send a list of whom he considers worthy of an invitation?"

Cardinal smiled and spoke,

My son, I shall stay here and work with the people in Bremen and clergies. After all, Aragon does possess another Cardinal and I like to travel. So, thank you however I shall remain here and prepare for the wedding and learning German customs.

Yes, you could discuss the list of guest with me. My King has already informed me of whom he considered to be worthy of invitation to this marriage. So, let us start to discuss the list of guests if you wish to do so.

 

[Gabriel Anthony]

Herr Kaufmann,

I write to you in my capacity as Royal treasurer, and on behalf of my colleague the Minister of Foreign affairs, on a docket of many issues. Primarily the issue of trade. For many years the markets and roads of this realm have been closed off to the outside world, for any number of reasons. However with the ascension of Duke Vytautas to the throne of Lithuania, and the need to fill the treasuary has expanded. Just recently we have expanded our trade into the Black Sea and mediterrenuam by dealing closely with the shrewd Venetians. The dealing with the Czar has opened our markets to Russian furs and spririts.

Now it seems the natural thing to open our routes to the west, where Lith participation is dismal. And being perhaps the pre-eminent merchant in all of Western Christendom, it seems you are in the best positition to put such plans into action. So I write to you so that I may understand what possibilities present themselves in your region, and how to go about this process.

-Lord Virgis Zelenkavicius , Royal Treasurer of Lithuania

 

[Eu_proof]

Oliver got words directly from the duke and spoke.

"My duke wishes to inform you that he don not want to risk a war and will not permit Nantes to leave the Hansa if a war is to be declared then"

 

[HJ Tulp]

''War?!'' bursted Daniel out.
"Mijnheer Oliver, who ever said anything about war? I think something must have gone wrong in the translation.'' turning towards Otto Kaufman ''Did you said anything about a possible war? Did Duke Johan III say anything about a war in a letter to the frisians?'' turning towards Oliver once again ''I think you mean the conflict Mijnheer Kaufmann talked about. That trade conflict would mean higher taxes for the TUNS, maybe even closing the Sund for their vessels. Maybe as last resort a blockade. On another matter'' Daniel turned towards Kaufmann ''The TUNS is a treaty concerning trade isn't it? Shouldn't it have been approved by his excellence Duke Johann III as Imperial Treasurer?''