It was based on economic, political and military cooperation. In the 14th century Stargard joined the Hansa, which had existed since 1241. The main driver of the town’s economic and commercial development at that time was the Ina River flowing through it. From the town harbour, located near today’s Mill Gate, goods were floated on flat-bottomed barges to the port in Inoujście, from where they were exported to other towns on seagoing ships. The most valuable commodity sold by the people of Stargard was grain. Among other things, cloth from England, Flanders, Frisia and Brabant came to Stargard.
Next to the Griffin is a cog, a ship associated with the Hanseatic merchants. It was a single-masted merchant vessel that could also be used for military purposes. The crew of such a ship numbered around 80–90 people. The cog was one of the basic ships of the Baltic Sea between the 13th and 15th centuries.