 The town was known for its fragrant apple orchards, but there were also merchants, craftsmen, and fishermen in the town.After the Christianization of Norway in 1030, Hamar began to gain influence as a centre for trade and religion, until the episcopal representative Nikolaus Breakspear in 1152 founded Hamar Kaupangen as one of five dioceses in medieval Norway.This diocese included Hedemarken and Christians Amt, being separated in 1152 from the former diocese of Oslo.