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The Hanseatic League of German-speaking merchants had their London base at the Steelyard on the river Thames. It included offices, accommodation, a warehouse and a church and its merchants shipped out English wool.

Many of the merchants were very rich, and this made them unpopular with many Londoners. English merchants did not like the special privileges given to the Hansa.

‘Evil May Day’

In 1517 there were a series of serious anti-foreigner riots in London that became known as ‘Evil May Day’. These riots were stirred up by preachers, especially a Dr Bell who described foreigners, including the Hansa, as 'aliens and strangers' who 'eat the bread from the poor fatherless children.' Rioting was directed especially at the merchants and bankers around the Steelyard, as well as the rich foreigners in the royal court.

Many poor Londoners were angry and felt that immigrants were making money at their expense, as a result poorer immigrants in London suffered violent attacks. After five hours, the rioting was eventually put down by government troops and, while many of those arrested were later pardoned, 14 rioters were convicted of treason and hanged.

Eventually, with the rise of English and Dutch merchants, the Crown no longer needed the Hansa merchants, and in 1597 they were expelled and the Steelyard was closed down by Queen Elizabeth I.