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'Nyköping' (Pron: ''Nee'shuhping'') is a city (pop. 40,000) in Södermanland, Sweden and the seat of Nyköping Municipality. The city is also the capital of Södermanland County.

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History

Later history

History

The area bears traces of settlers since around 2,000 BC. In the early medieval age, around 1,000 AD, Nyköping was a capital of one the many Swedish petty kings. In the 13th century, construction on the Nyköping Fortress was begun; the following century it became the strongest fortress of the country. The coat of arms probably depict the fortress, or one of its towers.
In 1317 the Nyköping Banquet took place, a renowned episode in Sweden's history, when King Birger of Sweden captured his two brothers as a revenge for earlier sufferings and had them imprisoned without food until they starved to death.
The earliest known charter dates from 1444, making it one of the now defunct Cities in Sweden.
In the 16th century Nyköping became the seat of duke Charles who later became Charles IX of Sweden. With the status of a Royal residential seat, Nyköping was at its peak of development.
In 1665 large parts of the city including the fortress were damaged in a fire. The same thing happened again around fifty years later when Russian troops invaded the city. It was then rebuilt with its current street plan.

The name "Nyköping" means ''New Köping'', i.e. the new market town.

Later history

Nyköping was industrialized relatively early compared to the rest of Sweden. In the early 19th century, textile industry was established, and the population soon rose as Nyköping's industry grew.