St. Olaf of Norway

The son of King Harald Grenske of Norway was born in 995 A.D. He spent most of his youth as a Norse raider until 1010 when he was baptized at Rouen. In 1013, he journeyed to England and offered his services to King Ethelred II against the invading Danes. Returning home in 1015 after succeeding to the throne, he embarked upon a war to free Norway from the domination of the Danes and the Swedes, defeating Earl Sweyn at Nesje in 1016. He also immediately requested that missionaries be sent from England to advance the Christianization of Norway. Owing to the harsh nature of his rule, he faced a rebellion of nobles in 1029. Through the aid of the formidable King Canute the Great of Denmark, the rebels overthrew him and drove him into exile in Russia. Olaf returned in 1030 but was slain in battle at Stiklestad, Norway, on July 29. While neither popular no considered especially holy during his lifetime, Olaf was soon revered after death owing to the reports of miracles occurring at his tomb. He was greatly respected as a champion of Norwegian independence, and his shrine became the foundation of the cathedral of Trondheim, which was a popular place of pilgrimage during the Middle Ages. He is the patron of Norway and was canonized in 1164. His feast day is July 29.