HANSE MERCHANTS' AGREEMENT a.d. 



1405. 

 them by the liege people and subjects of the saide 

 soveraigne lord the king, in the presence of the mightie 

 lord the Master general of Prussia, in his land of Prussia, 

 as in certain letters indented, bearing date in the castle 

 of Marienburgh in Prussia the eight day of the moneth 

 of October, in the yeere of our lord 1405. and being 

 made and written about the reparation, reformation, and 

 recompence of such like injuries &c. (the tenour 

 whereof ought here to be understood as if it were 

 inserted) it is more manifestly contained. 



It was furthermore promised by the said William and 

 John, that they should not inforce nor compell the 

 citizens, people, or inhabitants of the common society of 

 the Hans, or of the above named cities, or of any other 

 cities of the Hans aforesaid (having received sufficient 

 information of their dwelling and place of abode) to 

 more difficult or district proofes of their Articles of com- 

 plaints alreadie exhibited, and in the foresaide termes to 

 come, to bee exhibited, then unto the inhabitants of the 

 lands of Prussia and Livonia, according to the forme of 

 the Indentures above mentioned. 



Moreover the saide William and John doe promise, 

 that so soone as they shall come into the kingdome of 

 England, and before the presence of their king, they 

 shall provide, that all and singular the priviledges graunted 

 unto the marchants of the saide Hans by the renowmed 

 kings of England, and confirmed by the said Soveraigne 

 lord the king that now is, must, according to al their 

 contents, be inviolably observed by the said soveraigne 

 king and his subjects : and also, that from henceforth 

 nothing is unjustly to be attempted, upon any occasion, 

 pretense, or colour, by the saide Soveraigne Prince, and 

 the inhabitants of the realme of England, to the pre- 

 judice of the sayde priviledges. They shall provide also, 

 that all things heretofore attempted and practised against 

 the saide priviledges, shall, by reasonable amendement 

 and just reformation, utterly be abolished. 



But if after the date of these presents (which God 



57 



