Helsingborg holds the narrowest point of the Øresund, facing Zealand.
It is known as Helsingaburg in 1085 and was mentioned by Adam of Bremen about 1070 (Den Store Danske). It grew early into a fortified town with a market place and is through the Middle Ages the crown's chief administrative centre in Scania (Den Store Danske). The surviving tower (Kärnan) was built in the 1310s (dendrochronology, en.wikipedia); the fortification of 1200 on the ridge above the harbour is not described in the sources read.
Its castellan in 1200 is not named.
Who holds it
- Name
- Canute VI (Knud VI)
- Title
- king of the Danes, lord of the town and castle
- Since
- 1182
- Born
- 1162 or about 1163
- Family
- see Denmark
- Confidence
- high
DBL Knud 6.
Lord in 1200
The king, through his officer (not named).
Overlord
the king
How things stand that morning
Royal and quiet.
Wealth
Sound crossing, harbour and market dues, herring.
Military
The castle on the ridge.
Charter
None known for 1200 (en.wikipedia gives 1085 as the town's first record, not a charter of privileges).
Communities
The king's men, fishermen, merchants and ferrymen.
Fairs and markets
Market; the Sound crossing to Zealand.
Walls and castle
A royal stronghold above the town (its form in 1200 not pinned); the present Kärnan is of the 1310s.
Trade and crafts
Ferry and harbour trade across the Sound, herring landings.
Places of note
- Helsingborg castle: royal stronghold above the Sound
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Early mentions and the town's later administrative role are attested; nothing specific for 1200.
On the map: The town and its near land.
Primary sources for Denmark
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- The Danish annals of Lund, Ryd and other houses (12th and 13th centuries; Lund continued to 1307, Ryd to 1288). Short dated entries from Lund, the archbishop's seat, and from Ryd in Schleswig. Read online
- Annals of Stade, by Albert of Stade, Albert of Stade (about 1240 to 1256). A world chronicle written at Stade in the 1240s from older Stade and Bremen annals. Read online
- Chronicle of the Slavs, by Arnold of Lübeck, Arnold of Lübeck (about 1209 to 1210). Arnold continues Helmold and writes from Lübeck, close to Danish, Welf and Baltic affairs. Read online
- Chronicle of the Slavs, by Helmold of Bosau, Helmold of Bosau (about 1167 to 1172). Background only. Read online
- The Icelandic annals to 1578 (compiled from the late 13th century onward from older notes). Year-by-year notices that fix Icelandic chronology. Read online
- The Livonian Chronicle of Henry, Henry of Livonia (1225 to 1227). The chief source for the Baltic mission. Read online
- Deeds of the Danes, Saxo Grammaticus (about 1185 to 1208). Saxo was writing at Lund in 1200 under Absalon, who died in March 1201, and his last books are an insider's history of Valdemar I and Knud VI to 1185: the Wendish wars, the taking of Rügen, the submission of Pomerania in 1185, the Danish fleet, Absalon's power and the Danish quarrel with the Empire. Read online
- Short history of the kings of Denmark; The Law of the Retainers, Sven Aggesen (about 1185 to 1188). A short Latin history of the Danish kings to Knud VI's Pomeranian victory of 1185, with the Lex castrensis, Sven's version of the law of the royal household. Read online
11 more in the sources library for Scandinavia.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.