Waldemar-Erdbuch
The first mention of Aalborg under its original name "Alabu" or "Alabur" is found on coins from  1040, the period when King Harthacnut (Hardeknud) settled in the area. In  1075, Adam of Bremen reported that "Alaburg", as he called it in German, was an important harbour for ships sailing to Norway. In Valdemar's Danish Census Book from 1231 it was called "Aleburgh", possibly meaning "the fort by the stream" as in Old Norse "all" meant a stream or current and "bur" or "burgh" a fort or a castle.