[7] Kannur was an important trading centre in the 12th century, with active business connections with Persia and Arabia.

Kannur was the capital city of Kolathunadu, one of the four powerful kingdoms who ruled Kerala during the medieval period.

[8] The Portuguese arrived at Kappad Kozhikode in 1498 during the Age of Discovery, thus opening a direct sea route from Europe to India.

[9] The St. Angelo Fort at Kannur was built in 1505 by Dom Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India.

They modernized the fort and built the bastions Hollandia, Zeelandia, and Frieslandia that are the major features of the present structure.

The Ali Rajas of Arakkal kingdom, near Kannur, who were the vassals of the Kolathiri, ruled over the Lakshadweep islands.

[11] The island of Dharmadom near Kannur, along with Thalassery, was ceded to the East India Company as early as 1734, which were claimed by all of the Kolattu Rajas, Kottayam Rajas, and Arakkal Bibi in the late medieval period, where the British initiated a factory and English settlement following the cession.