Krakow and Wrocław’s correspondence with the Main Town of Gdańsk in the late medieval period Cover Image

Korespondencja Krakowa i Wrocławia z Głównym Miastem Gdańskiem w późnym średniowieczu
Krakow and Wrocław’s correspondence with the Main Town of Gdańsk in the late medieval period

Author(s): Marcin Grulkowski
Subject(s): Cultural history, Economic history, 15th Century
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika
Keywords: Krakow and Wrocław; Town of Gdańsk; correspondence;

Summary/Abstract: The subject of this article is the correspondence between Gdańsk and the cities of Krakow and Wrocław in the late medieval period. Only letters between the municipal authorities of these cities are considered herein. The sources on which this article is based consist of letters sent from Krakow (24) and Wrocław (37) to Gdańsk’s Main Town council. The second group of sources is provided by city records featuring copies of letters (known as “missiva”) sent from Gdańsk to the aforementioned cities (Ref. No. APGd, 300, 27/1–12). These records include copies of 10 letters sent to Krakow, 22 – sent to Wrocław and two – sent to both cities. In this article the letters have been divided into six thematic groups. They cover topics concerning membership of the Hansa (in particular regarding the participation of city representatives in Hanseatic assemblies), as well as trade, financial obligations, rents, inheritances and other issues. Th is correspondence illustrates the problems which occurred in Gdańsk’s relations with Krakow and Wrocław. In the late medieval period these cities belonged to different economic zones: Gdańsk was part of the Baltic zone, whilst Krakow and Wrocław belonged to the upper-German zone. Th is, however, was no obstacle to mutual contacts. Up until the latter half of the 15th century, all of these cities were united in their membership of the Hanseatic League.

  • Issue Year: 23/2012
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 35-71
  • Page Count: 37
  • Language: Polish