Vitalienbrüder

The Vitalienbrüder, also known as the Brotherhood of Victuals or theVictual Brothers, were a band of privateers and pirates who operated in the Baltic Sea during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Their origins are linked to the conflicts surrounding the Danish throne and the deposed King Albert of Sweden. Initially commissioned by Albert's supporters to harass Danish shipping and disrupt trade, they quickly evolved into a formidable piratical force.

The Vitalienbrüder gained notoriety for their ruthless tactics and their base of operations, which shifted over time but often included ports and islands within the Baltic. They preyed on merchant vessels, raided coastal towns, and became a significant threat to the Hanseatic League's commercial interests. Their activities caused considerable disruption to trade routes and led to numerous retaliatory campaigns by the Hanseatic cities.

The Brotherhood's influence waned as their leaders were captured or killed and their bases were systematically dismantled by their enemies. By the early 15th century, their organized power had largely collapsed, although individual members may have continued to operate as pirates for some time. The Vitalienbrüder represent a significant chapter in the maritime history of the Baltic, illustrating the complex interplay of political conflict, privateering, and piracy in the medieval period.