ABSTRACT
Sigtuna was founded c. 980, by the time when the town of Birka ceased to have urban functions, and Sigtuna took over Birka’s role of being a port for long-distance trade. Sigtuna also had other functions: it was a centre for craft production, and a market for domestic trade for the town and the hinterland. There was also a mint in the town. King Erik the Victorious probably founded Sigtuna. By founding the town, the king could attach chieftains to him in a new way: he could grant plots in the town to them and he could also grant lordship over hundreds and ship-sokes. Chieftains could then have had jurisdiction over such districts, and could control and man warships. Sigtuna was a centre for the Crown and a meeting-place for the elite.
