 A product of the redesign of the western parts of the city in the early-17th century, the square first appears in historical records as "Riddare huuss platzen" ("Knight's House Space", 1641), and "Riddarehuus Torget" (1662).In 1765, the nobility decided to transfer the southern premises of their lot to the city for the enlargement of the open space in front of the palace, and had the statue of King Gustav Vasa placed in the middle of it.When the square was redesigned in 1914–1916, the statue was moved to its present location immediately in front of the palace.