Hi Hivers,
Yesterday my wife and I visited the lovely medieval city of Zwolle in the East of the Netherlands. Zwolle is situated along some rivers/brooks like de Vecht and the Black Water as well as the northern Rhine a.k.a. IJssel.
**Hanze treaty (1241- ~1700) **
Instead of fighting other merchants/cities for trade Zwolle and many other cities at these waterways in Northern Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands - trade that went all the way to Russia and back over the Ostzee - decided to form a treaty called Hanze treaty with other Hanzesteden / Hanze cities. In German Hansestadt is still visible on the citysigns today. The treaty also prescribed who coudl do what trade etc. So an early monopoly/kartel.
The coins // ducats
Trading can be done with changing goods but easier is it to use coins. For large payments gold coins were used like the ducat.
The bigger the city was the more they wanted to have their own coin. So cities in the Netherladns but also the Russians minted coins with their city mintmarks. Silver and gold ones.
A gold ducat of 1650 (not owned by me)
Russian ducat Piotr/Peter 1712
Zwolle
Packed within it's old defense ring of water channels and defence works and still entered via some remaining medeival gates you enter a lovely city great for wandering around and shopping. The old town ofcourse is surrounded by newly built areas of the 1900's and 2000's not worth a visit.
The center however is some 1k by 1km so a lot to see.
And here are we in front of the old church.
have a nice weekend
Goldrooster
Looks like an awesome day for a stroll around history filled lands. Wow.. what a treaty. That one paid off. Brilliant move I suppose. Make sure you keep your eye to the ground.. you may find a spare ducat someone many years ago dropped out of the hole in their pocket! hehehe😆
Always interesting history with kingdoms and alliances changing as a fast the money and blood will flow in the Holy Roman Empire.
Enjoy your trip @goldrooster
Interesting defensive ring of water channels @goldrooster! Throughout time someone always wants to remove your Gold ducat....what do they say..." Nothing new under the Sun!"😇
Looks like you two had a wonderful day take care my friend!😀
"Ahh mit a yoong hen in Zwolle ance 'att sit mah heed spinnin'! Weel...that's anither story..." 😄 -Keptin
I've been to Zwolle quite a few times but never really had a chance to see much other than the paths between concert venues and the train station.
Interesting history, I had always thought the Hanseatic cities were only along the coast. Although, I guess the coast was different only a couple of hundred years ago. Plus, my European history is a touch weak...
Hello Mrs.Goldrooster! I like your gold collection!
She says thank you!