About the book: 2009 / Until now, about the phenomenon of the Hansa and its significance in the life of medieval Europe, including the history of Rus', the Russian reader, with the exception of a narrow circle I didn’t know anything about the specialists. During the XIV-XV centuries. The Hansa (trading union of German cities) monopolized Western European trade and was the main intermediary in trade relations between Central, Eastern and Northern Europe. Novgorod has always been one of the main trading partners of the Hansa. As the modern writer B. Kiselev said, “where Peter I cut a window to Europe, in the times of Novgorod the doors were wide open.” The book, for the first time in a popular science form, tells about the origin of Novgorod-Hanseatic contacts, their formation and development. Based on a variety of sources, the highly controversial history of Novgorod-Hanseatic relations, filled with conflicts, mutual claims and clashes, is highlighted. At the same time, the constant interest of the parties in the continuation and development of Novgorod-Hanseatic relations was demonstrated. Particular attention is paid to the rules of trade and legal norms that existed in the Middle Ages. The book details the history of the Hanseatic office in Novgorod, which was one of the main offices of the Hanse along with offices in Bergen, Bruges and London. A separate chapter, authored by E.R. Squire, is devoted to the linguistic aspect of Novgorod-Hanseatic relations. Numerous Hanseatic sources, ancient Russian documents, materials from archaeological excavations in Novgorod are widely used in the work. The book is intended for both specialist historians and a wide range of readers.