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St. Olav
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Nidaros Cathedral was built over the begravning site of St. Olav, the Viking king who became Norway's national saint.
Olav Haraldsson
The chieftain son, Olav Haraldsson, was born in the s and grew up in Ringerike. As a young boy, he went out “viking” (on sea expeditions). His travels took him to England, where he fought in the army of King Ethelred. In France, he spent two winters in Prince Richard's court in Normandy. During his stay in Normandy, Olav was tutored in the Christian faith, and he was baptised in Rouen in
The Battle of Stiklestad
Olav returned to Norway the following year, with the goal of uniting the country as a Christian kingdom under his rule. He justified his right to the throne by claiming he was a descendant of King Harald Hårfagre (Harald inom Fairhair). The Unification of Norway was carried out with Olav’s royal tribute at the Øretinget assembly in He was the only king to be paid tribute by all the Norwegian “tings” or assemblies. Olav had brought priests and bishops from England who assisted in the konvertering campaign and, in , Christianity became the tjänsteman religion in Norway.
Olav had powerful opponents among Norwegian noblemen
XI. Martyrdom
We accompany king Olav on his last journey - to Stiklestad. We do not attempt to assay the many episodes the saga relates on the scales of the modern historian: it is the atmosphere that takes hold of us, when we read these chapters. The period in Gardarike is painted in gloomy colours. It is tempting here to recall the «dark night» of the mystics. As soon as the departure begins, an atmosphere of joy rises up from the king's army: joy because friends are maintaining their unity, joy because they have escaped from nagging doubt, joy because they are doing something at last, joy at coming again to Sweden and meeting wife and daughter - and the friends who come from Norway to support the king. Then comes the long journey through woods, across waste places and mountains. Rumours reach them from all directions: the great men in Norway have collected an overwhelmingly great army to meet them as soon as they set foot on Norwegian soil. Prudent men in Sweden and from Norway warn against the audacious journey. A premonition of defeat spreads among the group, but this does not diminish the joy: this is what God wants! No warnings are of any avail. The king's will is set ab
The right to inherit the Norwegian throne
The Norwegian king Olav II Haraldsson was born in as son of the Viking king Harald Grenske who was the great grandson of Harald Fairhair. This was highly advantageous in a time when the country had several small kings and earls, because direct lineage from Harald Fairhair gave the right to inherit the Norwegian throne.
A successful chieftain
Only 12 years old Olav was introduced to the life as a Viking at sea. His mother, Åsta, sent with him the experienced Viking, Rane, who became an important teacher for the young boy.
Olav became a successful Viking chief, who was in alliance with several of the rulers of Europe, but he also had dangerous enemies. Among his allied was king Ethelred II of England who at that time was in a severe conflict with king Svein of Denmark. King Olav tore down London Bridge, using his “longships”. King Ethelred got back his country and king Olav was richly rewarded.
Olav is baptized in Rouen
Another of king Olav’s allied was the Duke Richard II of Normandy. 19 years old Olav stayed in Rouen, France, for many months at the Duke’s court. Though Christianity had been introduced to many places in