Rex Perpetuus Norvegiae
Encyclopedia
Rex Perpetuus Norvegiae i.e. Norway's Eternal King) is an in the 12th century appearing term for Olaf the Holy.
The 1163 Succession Law
stated that all kings after King Magnus I
, the son of Olaf II, should not be considered as independent monarchs, but rather as vassal
s holding Norway as a fief from Saint Olaf.
King Magnus III of Norway
and of Mann and the Isles, Olaf's great-nephew, was the first king known to use the Norwegian lion
in his standard. However, Snorre is the only source for this. Almost 200 years later, in 1280, a crown and a silver axe were added to the lion. The axe represents Olaf II as 'martyr and saint'.
Background
In written sources, the term Perpetuus rex Norvegiæ appears only in Historia Norvegiæ from the second part of the 12th century.The 1163 Succession Law
Norwegian Law of Succession
The Norwegian Law of Succession was introduced in 1163. The law was an accord between Erling Skakke and Archbishop Øystein, whereby Erling's son Magnus Erlingsson inherited the throne, in exchange for greater power to the church...
stated that all kings after King Magnus I
Magnus I of Norway
Magnus I , known as the Good or the Noble, was the King of Norway from 1035 to 1047 and the King of Denmark from 1042 to 1047. He was an illegitimate son of king Olaf II of Norway, but fled with his mother in 1028 when his father was dethroned. In 1035 he returned to Norway and was crowned king at...
, the son of Olaf II, should not be considered as independent monarchs, but rather as vassal
Vassal
A vassal or feudatory is a person who has entered into a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe. The obligations often included military support and mutual protection, in exchange for certain privileges, usually including the grant of land held...
s holding Norway as a fief from Saint Olaf.
King Magnus III of Norway
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:...
and of Mann and the Isles, Olaf's great-nephew, was the first king known to use the Norwegian lion
Coat of arms of Norway
The coat of arms of Norway is a crowned, golden lion rampant holding an axe with an argent blade, on a crowned, triangular and red escutcheon. Its elements originate from personal insignias for the royal house in the High Middle Ages, thus being among the oldest in Europe...
in his standard. However, Snorre is the only source for this. Almost 200 years later, in 1280, a crown and a silver axe were added to the lion. The axe represents Olaf II as 'martyr and saint'.
Literature and sources
- Store norske leksikon: Olav 2 Haraldsson, den hellige