During the course of my research I have incurred debts too numerous and various to list in full. I would, however, like to record my thanks to a variety of institutions and individuals whose help has been particularly instrumental.

The work was begun while I was a Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge, and I am grateful to the Master and Fellows for their generosity and support. In particular, they made several grants which enabled me to spend considerable time in Hamburg. I am also grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for a generous European Fellowship which allowed me to complete my archival work. The Warden and Fellows of Robinson College contributed towards the cost of typing both the original thesis and the final draft of this book.

I am also grateful to the staff of the Staatsarchiv der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg for their help over a number of years. The director, Professor Dr Hans-Dieter Loose, and Dr Klaus Richter both provided me with invaluable assistance. Herr Amthor and Frau Neidhöfer in the Lesesaal were also particularly patient and courteous. Fräulein Eva Horthvath guided me in the Staats– und Universitätsbibliothek, as did Frau Eva Lembke in the Commerzbibliothek.

Also in Hamburg, I received much help and encouragement from Dr Franklin Kopitzsch.