Meet the Middle Ages
BackThe Guilds of Canute
The Guilds of Knut were associations of Danish merchants. They controlled large parts of the trade in the Baltic area during the 12th century, and were also influential in the 13th and parts of the 14th century. The Guilds of Knut were named after two Patron Saints, Duke Knut Lavard and the Danish canonised King Knut. Knut is called Canute in English.
The Danes followed the so-called "Fairway of King Valdemar" from Denmark along the Swedish coast and by way of Åland to Finland and Estonia. Along this route were several market places and settlements. One of these was the stronghold Backaborg (now Gråborg) on central Öland. A chapel dedicated to St. Knut belonged to this fortress and the place served as a commercial centre, controlled by the Guild.