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Klaus Störtebeker

6 questions · History

Klaus Störtebeker was the best-known pirate of the North and Baltic Seas around 1400. As leader of the Victual Brothers (also called Likedeeler, „equal sharers“) he seized merchant ships of the powerful Hanseatic League. In 1401 he was captured off Heligoland and beheaded in Hamburg. According to legend his headless body walked past several comrades to buy their freedom. His name means roughly „down the beaker“: he is said to have downed a full jug in one go. Good to know: They also called themselves Likedeeler, 'equal sharers' of the loot. Originally they supplied besieged Stockholm with provisions. The Hanse dominated trade in the North and Baltic Seas. Its rich merchant ships were Störtebeker's prey. The execution took place on Hamburg's Grasbrook. His head was spiked as a deterrent. For each man the headless body passed, a comrade was to go free. The legend is of course not historically proven. One of his hideouts lay around Heligoland. That is where he was finally captured. Once you know them, you suddenly spot them everywhere again.

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3 of 6 questions with answers

What was the pirate band around Störtebeker called?

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Victual Brothers

They also called themselves Likedeeler, 'equal sharers' of the loot.

💡 Did you know? Originally they supplied besieged Stockholm with provisions.

Which powerful league of towns did Störtebeker fight?

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The Hanseatic League

The Hanse dominated trade in the North and Baltic Seas.

💡 Did you know? Its rich merchant ships were Störtebeker's prey.

How was Störtebeker executed in Hamburg in 1401?

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He was beheaded

The execution took place on Hamburg's Grasbrook.

💡 Did you know? His head was spiked as a deterrent.

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