Olaf Haraldsson – Saint Olaf – Holy Olaf

• Olaf II Haraldsson was King of Norway from 1015 to 1030

• Together with Olaf Tryggvasson, he was the driving force between Norway’s final conversion into Christianity

• He was a harsh ruler, but became Norway’s patron saint only a year after his death

• Olaf II fell in the Battle of Stiklestad, 29th of July 1030, fighting against some of his own noble men supported by the English King Canute

•He was patronized by Bishop Grimkell only a year after, legends says it was because wonders happened to those attending his grave.

Holy Olaf’s death (1859) painting by Peter Nicolai Arbo (1831-1892)