At the same time the Danish king attempts to take Copenhagen from the bishop. This he finally succeeds in doing in 1416, when King Erik of Pomerania takes over the town. Thenceforth Copenhagen belongs to the Danish Crown. Despite centuries of power struggles and warring the town grows increasingly rich. The Copenhageners do a brisk trade with friend and foe alike.
Foreign merchants come to the town.
Craft guilds are established and a university is founded. By the time of Christian IV's coronation in 1596 Copenhagen has become rich and powerful. The new king decides to make the town the economic, military, religious and cultural centre for the whole of the Nordic region. The king establishes the first trading companies with sole rights to trade with lands overseas. In order to restrict imports, factories are set up so that the country can manufacture as many goods as possible itself.