Olaf III of Norway
Encyclopedia
Olaf Kyrre or Olaf III Haraldsson, was King of Norway from 1067 to 1093. He was present at the Battle of Stamford Bridge
in England
in 1066 where his father, Harald Hardrada, saw defeat and was killed in action. During Olaf's rule, he made peace with earlier royal conflicts with the church, strengthened the power of the monarchy, and is said to have founded the city of Bergen
in 1070.
. Olaf joined his father during the invasion of England
during 1066. However, he was only 16-years old during the Battle of Stamford Bridge
during September 1066. He stayed on a ship and did not participate in the fighting. After the Norwegian defeat, he sailed with the remains of the Norwegian strike force back to Orkney, where they wintered. The return journey to Norway took place in summer 1067.
After the death of his father, Olaf shared the kingdom with his brother Magnus II
(Magnus Haraldsson) who had become king the previous year. Magnus died during 1069, and Olaf became sole ruler of Norway.
During his reign the nation experienced a rare extended period of peace. He renounced any offensive in foreign policy and protect rather than Norway as a kingdom of its own, through agreements and marriage connections. Domestic he laid emphasis on building the church organization and modernize the kingdom. The latter resulted in among other things the reorganization of the body-guard and of measures under which key cities, especially Bergen
, could better serve as a royal residence and as a bishop. Olaf is said to have founded the city of Bergen in 1070.
The serious defeat of Harald Hardrada and the Norwegians had suffered 1066, tempted the Danish king, Svend Estridsen, to prepare for an attack on Norway. Svend no longer felt bound by the ceasefire agreement was signed with Harald Hardrada 1064, since it would only be valid for the two kings during their own lives. Olaf made peace with Svend Estridsen and married his daughter Ingerid
. Later, Olav half sister married Svend Oluf son, later the Danish king. Although there were some attacks on England by Danish forces, peace consisted between Denmark and Norway. Olaf also made peace with William the Conqueror of England.
King Olaf broke with his father's line in relationship to the church. Harald Hardrada had developed into a continuing conflict with the Archbishopric of Bremen
on the archbishop's authority over the Norwegian church. Olav recognized that authority fully. Political considerations may be a sufficient explanation for the conciliatory attitude. Olaf was also concerned with the church organization. Until his time bishops had formed part of the king's court and traveled with him around the country to take care of the ecclesiastical affairs while the king took care of worldly matters. The bishops established fixed residence in Oslo, Nidaros and Bergen. King Olaf also took the initiative for the construction of churches, including Christ Church
in Bergen and Nidaros Cathedral
in Trondheim
.
Olaf also strengthened the power of the king and instituted the system of guilds in Norway. There are strong indications that the government of King Olaf began to writing secure provincial laws to a greater extent. The Norwegian law Gulatingsloven was probably put in writing for the first time during his reign.
King Olaf died of illness during the autumn of 1093 in Håkeby, today located in Tanum Municipality
in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden
. He was buried at Nidaros Cathedral. His marriage to Ingerid did not produce any children. However, his successor Magnus III
, nicknamed Magnus Berrføtt (Magnus Barefoot), was his illegitimate son. Around 1225, Snorri Sturluson
wrote a saga about Olaf in the Heimskringla
, a history of the kings of Norway.
(c. 1220) describes Olaf III as:
"[A] tall man, and everyone agrees that there has never been seen a fairer man or a man of nobler appearance.
He had blond hair, a light complexion, and pleasing eyes, and he was well porportioned. He was taciturn for
the most part, and not much of a speechmaker, though he was good company after drink."
Another description is found in the Heimskringla
of Snorri Sturluson
:
"Olaf was a stout man, well grown in limbs; and every one said a handsomer man could not be seen, nor of a nobler appearance.
His hair was yellow as silk, and became him well; his skin was white and fine over all his body; his eyes beautiful,
and his limbs well proportioned. He was rather silent in general, and did not speak much even at Things;
but he was merry in drinking parties. He loved drinking much, and was talkative enough then; but quite peaceful.
He was cheerful in conversation, peacefully inclined during all his reign, and loving gentleness and moderation in all things."
, was unveiled on 21 May 1998.
Battle of Stamford Bridge
The Battle of Stamford Bridge took place at the village of Stamford Bridge, East Riding of Yorkshire in England on 25 September 1066, between an English army under King Harold Godwinson and an invading Norwegian force led by King Harald Hardrada of Norway and the English king's brother Tostig...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1066 where his father, Harald Hardrada, saw defeat and was killed in action. During Olaf's rule, he made peace with earlier royal conflicts with the church, strengthened the power of the monarchy, and is said to have founded the city of Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
in 1070.
Biography
Olaf was a son of King Harald Hardråde and Tora TorbergsdatterTora Torbergsdatter
Tora Torbergsdatter was a Norwegian royal consort. She was the mother of two kings of Norway. It is possible, but unconfirmed, that she was also queen of Denmark and Sweden....
. Olaf joined his father during the invasion of England
Norman conquest of England
The Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy. William became known as William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, defeating King Harold II of England...
during 1066. However, he was only 16-years old during the Battle of Stamford Bridge
Battle of Stamford Bridge
The Battle of Stamford Bridge took place at the village of Stamford Bridge, East Riding of Yorkshire in England on 25 September 1066, between an English army under King Harold Godwinson and an invading Norwegian force led by King Harald Hardrada of Norway and the English king's brother Tostig...
during September 1066. He stayed on a ship and did not participate in the fighting. After the Norwegian defeat, he sailed with the remains of the Norwegian strike force back to Orkney, where they wintered. The return journey to Norway took place in summer 1067.
After the death of his father, Olaf shared the kingdom with his brother Magnus II
Magnus II of Norway
Magnus II Haraldsson was King of Norway from 1066 to 1069, jointly with his brother Olaf Kyrre from 1067.-Background:Magnus was a son of King Harald III of Norway...
(Magnus Haraldsson) who had become king the previous year. Magnus died during 1069, and Olaf became sole ruler of Norway.
During his reign the nation experienced a rare extended period of peace. He renounced any offensive in foreign policy and protect rather than Norway as a kingdom of its own, through agreements and marriage connections. Domestic he laid emphasis on building the church organization and modernize the kingdom. The latter resulted in among other things the reorganization of the body-guard and of measures under which key cities, especially Bergen
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
, could better serve as a royal residence and as a bishop. Olaf is said to have founded the city of Bergen in 1070.
Ingerid of Denmark
Ingerid Swendsdatter of Denmark also called Ingrid, was a Danish princess and a Norwegian Queen consort, spouse of King Olaf III of Norway.Ingerid Swensdatter was the daughter of King Sweyn II of Denmark...
. Later, Olav half sister married Svend Oluf son, later the Danish king. Although there were some attacks on England by Danish forces, peace consisted between Denmark and Norway. Olaf also made peace with William the Conqueror of England.
King Olaf broke with his father's line in relationship to the church. Harald Hardrada had developed into a continuing conflict with the Archbishopric of Bremen
Archbishopric of Bremen
The Archdiocese of Bremen was a historical Roman Catholic diocese and formed from 1180 to 1648 an ecclesiastical state , named Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen within the Holy Roman Empire...
on the archbishop's authority over the Norwegian church. Olav recognized that authority fully. Political considerations may be a sufficient explanation for the conciliatory attitude. Olaf was also concerned with the church organization. Until his time bishops had formed part of the king's court and traveled with him around the country to take care of the ecclesiastical affairs while the king took care of worldly matters. The bishops established fixed residence in Oslo, Nidaros and Bergen. King Olaf also took the initiative for the construction of churches, including Christ Church
Christ Church, Bergen
Christ Church or the Old Cathedral on Holmen was the main church and cathedral of Bergen.The church was built by King Olav Kyrre during the period 1066-1093. The church was situated north of Haakon's hall, the King's hall. It was dedicated to the Holy Trinity but was always known as Christ Church...
in Bergen and Nidaros Cathedral
Nidaros Cathedral
Nidaros Cathedral is a Church of Norway cathedral located in the city of Trondheim in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. It was the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nidaros from its establishment in 1152 until its abolition in 1537. Since the Reformation, it has been the cathedral of the...
in Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
.
Olaf also strengthened the power of the king and instituted the system of guilds in Norway. There are strong indications that the government of King Olaf began to writing secure provincial laws to a greater extent. The Norwegian law Gulatingsloven was probably put in writing for the first time during his reign.
King Olaf died of illness during the autumn of 1093 in Håkeby, today located in Tanum Municipality
Tanum Municipality
Tanum Municipality is a municipality in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Tanumshede, with 1,600 inhabitants....
in Västra Götaland County in western Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. He was buried at Nidaros Cathedral. His marriage to Ingerid did not produce any children. However, his successor Magnus III
Magnus III of Norway
Magnus Barefoot or Magnus III Olafsson was King of Norway from 1093 until 1103 and King of Mann and the Isles from 1099 until 1103.-Background:...
, nicknamed Magnus Berrføtt (Magnus Barefoot), was his illegitimate son. Around 1225, Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing...
wrote a saga about Olaf in the Heimskringla
Heimskringla
Heimskringla is the best known of the Old Norse kings' sagas. It was written in Old Norse in Iceland by the poet and historian Snorri Sturluson ca. 1230...
, a history of the kings of Norway.
Physical Appearance
The MorkinskinnaMorkinskinna
Morkinskinna is an Old Norse kings' saga, relating the history of Norwegian kings from approximately 1025 to 1157. The saga was written in Iceland around 1220, and has been preserved in a manuscript from around 1275....
(c. 1220) describes Olaf III as:
"[A] tall man, and everyone agrees that there has never been seen a fairer man or a man of nobler appearance.
He had blond hair, a light complexion, and pleasing eyes, and he was well porportioned. He was taciturn for
the most part, and not much of a speechmaker, though he was good company after drink."
Another description is found in the Heimskringla
Heimskringla
Heimskringla is the best known of the Old Norse kings' sagas. It was written in Old Norse in Iceland by the poet and historian Snorri Sturluson ca. 1230...
of Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing...
:
"Olaf was a stout man, well grown in limbs; and every one said a handsomer man could not be seen, nor of a nobler appearance.
His hair was yellow as silk, and became him well; his skin was white and fine over all his body; his eyes beautiful,
and his limbs well proportioned. He was rather silent in general, and did not speak much even at Things;
but he was merry in drinking parties. He loved drinking much, and was talkative enough then; but quite peaceful.
He was cheerful in conversation, peacefully inclined during all his reign, and loving gentleness and moderation in all things."
Memorial
A memorial to King Olaf Kyrre was placed in Bergen, Norway in connection with the city's 900 year anniversary. The abstract equestrian statue by noted Norwegian sculptor, Knut SteenKnut Steen
Knut Steen was a Norwegian sculptor.Born in Oslo, Steen is perhaps best known for his work on the Norwegian Statens kunstakademi and Copenhagen's Per Palle Storm. A museum dedicated to his work opened in Sandefjord in 2009...
, was unveiled on 21 May 1998.
External links
- Saga of Olaf Kyrre Part of HeimskringlaHeimskringlaHeimskringla is the best known of the Old Norse kings' sagas. It was written in Old Norse in Iceland by the poet and historian Snorri Sturluson ca. 1230...
- The statue of Olaf in Bergen