In the Middle Ages, German Hanseatic merchants dominated foreign trade in all of Northern Europe. L├╝beck may considered being the most important Hanseatic town, and from there ships sailed to dozens of cities ΓÇö Novgorod in the east, Bergen in the north, and Bruges and London in the west. Valuable merchandise, such as cloth, wine, beer and salt, as well as different luxury items, were distributed all over the northern regions via L├╝beck. Another important centre of the Hanseatic trade was Danzig, which was controlled by the Teutonic Order. Bulk products, such as grain and salt, were taken to the Baltic area via this town.
