Krokek
Krokek is a locality situated in Norrköping Municipality, Östergötland County, Sweden with 4,285 inhabitants in 2010. It is the main settlement of Kolmården and located a few kilometres away from the Sörmland border. The place's name comes from krokig ek, which refers to a crooked oak at the border between Östergötland and Sörmland.
History
The area has an extensive history, with multiple settlements dating back to the Stone Age. There are also a few gravefields dating back to the Iron Age, which indicates a farm settlement 1,000-2,000 years ago. One of the great battles mentioned from the iron age, battle of Brávellir is said to have occurred outside of Krokek. The name Kolmården, the large forest in which Krokek is situated in is mentioned in writings from the 11th century. It can be roughly translated into modern swedish as "Den mörka skogen". The names of other parts in Krokek often originates from the late Middle Ages and forward, with some exceptions such as Svintuna.The name Krokek, originates from an oak that was used as a marking on the border of Östergötland and Södermanland. This is noted in several medieval diplomas and in connection with the late monastery of Krokek, which was established in the 1420s-1440s. What is thought to be the oak in question split during a storm in 1902, and a 6 meter tall, hollow trunk stood until it was cut down in 1912. After it was cut, the stump was measured to be 785 centimeter in diameter. The oak was situated east of an old church, Krokeks Ödekyrka, which used to belong to the monastery. The church is also known as Kung Fredriks kyrka.