From an interesting article about Pirates (http://militaryhistorynow.com/2013/07/17/terrors-of-the-seas-fourteen-remarkable-foreign-pirates-youve-probably-never-heard-of/)
QuoteGERMANY'S HUMANITARIAN RAIDERS
Most pirates (and even licensed privateers) plunder ships to line their pockets – Germany's pirate collective known as the Victual Brothers, sailed the Baltic in the 14th century to feed the starving. Originally hired in 1392 by King Albert of Sweden who also controlled the Germanic region of Mecklenberg, this mercenary navy was ordered to strike a blow against Queen Margaret I of Denmark who had laid siege to Stockholm. The German privateers fought their way through the enemy blockade and delivered food to the city's starving inhabitants. The mission earned them their curious name. Eventually, the Victual Brothers set themselves up on Gotland Island in the Baltic and began preying on any and all shipping, as referenced by their motto: "God's friends and the whole world's enemies." Soon few vessels ventured into the Baltic and commerce ground to a halt. Eventually Margaret and Albert set aside their differences and jointly sought to destroy the brotherhood. In 1398 an army of Teutonic knights struck Gotland and wiped out the Victual Brothers once and for all.
And the mandatory Wikipedia link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victual_Brothers)
Huh. I did not know that. Thanks!
Very exciting information. Wonder if it could be incorporated into CK2 or EUIV?
^I was just going to type "that would be a great game."
I wonder if they already show up in one of those Hansa-style shipping and trading games?