The article argues on the basis of a case from the 1560s in Danzig that prior to the formulation of the legal concept of neutrality by Hugo Grotius, there was a practice of neutrality. It was expressed in various terms and manners. This practice pertained to both cities and states, and the case discloses the first documented instance when the Netherlands explicitly strove for neutrality also by legal means. The choice for neutrality was rooted in political and economic interests and as such had advantages, but it was also fraught with difficulties. The analysis shows that the actual extent of neutrality depended on the acceptance (or lack thereof) of the warring parties. Also, by excluding the possibilities of the use of violence or economic means of pressure like blockades, neutrals were limited to diplomacy and law during conflicts. This lay the ground for the development of a legal concept of neutrality.

中文翻译：

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格劳秀斯之前的中立：波罗的海的一座城市、一个国家和七艘盐船（1564-1567）

文章以1560年代但泽的一个案例论证，在格劳秀斯提出中立的法律概念之前，存在着中立的实践。它以各种术语和方式表达。这种做法既适用于城市，也适用于各州，该案揭示了荷兰通过法律手段明确争取中立的第一个记录案例。中立的选择植根于政治和经济利益，具有优势，但也充满困难。分析表明，中立的实际程度取决于交战各方的接受（或不接受）。此外，通过排除使用暴力或封锁等经济压力手段的可能性，中立者在冲突期间仅限于外交和法律。