Plural of hanse; multiple medieval merchant associations, guilds, or divisions of the Hanseatic League.
Plural form of 'hanse,' from Middle High German 'hanse.' The Hanseatic League consisted of many independent hanses, each representing different merchant cities or trading sectors.
The Hanseatic League wasn't one unified organization—it was more like a network of independent 'hanses' that cooperated when it benefited them, which sometimes meant they also competed and occasionally fought each other!
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