Sheilagh Ogilvie

Sheilagh Ogilvie, an economic historian at All Souls College, Oxford, unpacks the hidden narratives of epidemics and institutions. She explores the economic impacts of pandemics, discussing the 'happy story' of the Black Death and its flaws. Ogilvie reveals how local governance often outperformed central authorities in managing health crises and debunks the myths surrounding medieval guilds. She dives into the evolution of economic growth in England and the intricate connections between marriage patterns and institutional effectiveness.

Justyna Wubs-Mrozewicz, an expert in medieval history, Georg Christ, a specialist in early modern history, and Sheila Ogilvie, a renowned economic historian, dive into the fascinating world of the Hanseatic League. They explore its monumental impact on trade in Northern Europe, including its influence from Iceland to Novgorod. Discussion highlights the League's rise and fall, the interaction between Hansa merchants and English traders, and how religion shaped merchant identities. They also touch on how climate change affected trading practices and the balance between innovation and tradition.

In this engaging discussion, Professor Sheilagh Ogilvie, an expert on the Hanseatic League and economic history at Oxford, illuminates this medieval trading federation likening it to a crocodile that hid its true motives. She dives into its intimidation tactics against nation states and its influence on King Edward III. Revelatory insights also highlight the essential roles of women entrepreneurs like Margareta and Hildebrandt Weckenhusen. The complexities of the League's trade methods and its parliamentary-like diet reveal its lasting impact on European commerce.