In 1395, the Hanseatic League was at the height of its power, a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and towns in Northern Europe. This alliance facilitated trade across the Baltic and North Seas, significantly impacting the economy and culture of the region. The League's influence helped shape the development of cities like Lübeck and Hamburg, which became important centers of commerce and culture.

The economic prosperity brought by the Hanseatic League allowed for a flourishing of literary culture in Northern Europe. Poets and writers began to explore themes of commerce, travel, and the interconnectedness of cultures in their works. The rise of trade and urban centers inspired a new wave of poetry that celebrated the vibrancy of city life and the exchange of ideas across borders.