Rezesse niederdeutscher Städtetage, 14.-17. Jh.

Municipal assemblies, so-called ‘diets’ (‘Tagfahrten’ in German), were among the most important political events in the Middle Ages and early modern period. During these meetings, representatives of the cities met to discuss common issues, resolve conflicts and make decisions. These assemblies were particularly important for the cities dominated by Low German merchants – predominantly the Hanseatic Diets. From the 14th to the 17th century, minutes of the proceeding were taken at these assemblies: the so-called ‘Hanserezesse’ (Hanseatic Resolutions). These documents are unique testimonies to urban cooperation, trade and political decision-making, and thus one of the most important sources for Hanseatic research. A project at the Research Centre for Hanse and Baltic History (FGHO) aims to make these Hanseatic Resolutions available as digitisation and transcription, which will be published gradually on this sit.