The city is possibly named after the Lionga ting assembly which according to Medieval Scandinavian laws was the most important thing in �sterg�tland. Exact location of the Lionga ting is not known, but it was along the Eriksgata. K�ping means there was a market there.
Historically, Link�ping is famed for being an early diocese, second in Sweden (within its pre-1658 boundaries) only to Skara. The diocese is first mentioned in 1104 in the so-called "List of Florence" (Lionga. Kaupinga). The monastery of Vreta Kloster near Roxen north of Link�ping was established in 1128, and the oldest parts of the cathedral are also from the 12th century (although it has been changed many times since then, the eye-catching tower with copper roofing being a 19th century product). On several occasions attempts to achieve a separate Swedish archdiocese were based in Link�ping, although, when they finally were successful in 1164, Uppsala was chosen instead.
Religious centers tend to become educational centers, and Link�ping was no exception. Acathedral school can be traced from 1266. In 1627 the current Link�ping cathedral schoolwas established, making it the third oldest gymnasium in Sweden.
Also, Link�ping was the site for the final settlement of the dispute between king Sigismund III Vasa and his uncle Duke Charles, the latter prevailing in the battle of St�ngebro (today a sports field near central Link�ping) on 25 September 1598. This ultimately led to the rise to the throne of Charles (de facto at the Riksdag at Link�ping in 1600 and formally four years later) and the end of the short-lived Swedish-Polish personal union, as well as the executionof five of Charles's political opponents on the main square of Link�ping on 20 March 1600.
Link�ping was a small town until 1937, when the Saab aircraft industry was formed, starting a period of rapid expansion. Link�ping University was established in the 1960s. Today the city is a center of high-technology and
