Hello,

• My previous post in: Any medieval history books or documentary recomendations for a beginner? mainly concern HRE and Later Medieval Bohemia.
• Resources for learning about 14th century Germany? also includes a few books on social and cultural history in the 14th century Germany.

I have difficulty in listing almost any easily available/ cheap book in English for a good introduction (for a pure beginner) on prior to the Staufen period or the Hanseatic League, but just in case if you might really insist:

• Arnold, Benjamin. Medieval Germany, 500-1300: A Political Interpretation. Toronto: UTP, 1997. (Unfortunately out of print, apparently)
• Reuter, Timothy. Germany in the Early Middle Ages c. 800-1056. London: Longman/ Routledge, 1992.
• Any books to read about the Hanseatic League?