Two Shipping Disputes between Gdańsk, Denmark and Lübeck of 1509 and 1510 in the Context of the Conflicts over the Kalmar Union

Gdańsk's neutral stance during the Denmark-Sweden conflict (1501–1512) left its maritime trade vulnerable to privateering by both Danish and Lübeck forces. Two key incidents—one in 1509, where a Gdańsk ship carrying armor was seized by Danish privateers, and another in 1510, involving three ships captured by Lübeck—highlighted the city's limited diplomatic leverage due to its neutrality. While Gdańsk recovered the 1509 cargo through Polish mediation, attempts to retrieve the 1510 ships failed even after decades of negotiations. This case study, based on archival correspondence, reveals how Gdańsk's strategic position in the Danish Straits and its neutral status constrained its ability to protect trade, underscoring the broader challenges faced by cities during the Kalmar Union conflicts.

Sadłoń, P. (2023). Two Shipping Disputes between Gdańsk, Denmark and Lübeck of 1509 and 1510 in the Context of the Conflicts over the Kalmar Union. Zapiski Historyczne, LXXXVIII(2), 125. https://doi.org/10.15762/zh.2023.15