Above all things, he was most anxious, that good morals and order should everywhere prevail,
6
while he desired that Christianity should flourish throughout his dominions.
6
while he desired that Christianity should flourish throughout his dominions.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
Soon, however, Canute landed on the coast of Essex, and Edmund then met his army at Assington.
But treachery or cowardice was in the Saxon ranks, when a chief named Edric fled with his division, at the first onset.
However, the other two divisions of Edmund's army fought with desperate bravery, from threeo'clockintheafternoonuntilsundown; when,aftergreatslaughteron bothsides,theSaxonsfledineverydirection.
Almostalltheirwesternnobi- lity perished.
The Danes buried their own dead ; then stripping the bodies of the English, these were left naked on the field.
Edmund now retreated towards Gloucester ; but, while waiting the result of another battle, a com- promise had been effected by the rival kings and their chiefs.
It was agreed, to divide the kingdom between them ; so that, while Mercia and Northum- bria had been assigned to Canute, Edmund was recognised as supreme kingr the rest of England having been left under his rule.
Within a month after this treaty, and after a short disturbed reign of only seven months, Edmund is said to have been assassinated; but, the particulars of his death have been variedly stated,noraretheywithanygreatdegreeofcertaintyknown.
Helefttwo infant sons, Edward and Edmund.
After the death of Edmund, Canute became sole King of England, in 1017 ; and, of all his possessions, he chose thatcountrytobehisusualplaceofresidence.
4^ Duringthefirstyearsof his reign, he had been cruel, suspicious and tyrannical ; but, when all rivals who laid claim to the throne had been removed, he ruled with mildness, and for the most part with justice.
He was remarkable too for his piety and zeal in the interests of religion.
He gained the affection of his subjects, while he won universal esteem among foreigners.
His reign lasted for about twenty years.
While Olaf was in Normandy, it is related, that he saw in a dream one
night a gigantic man, who warned him, that he must return to Norway, where he should receive his crown. After this, he went northwards, and on his way, it is said, that he plundered and burned Parthenay. It has been stated, that Olaf extended his conquests not alone to Normandy, but even to
the shores of and of Spain
6 While Olaf was in
a. d. hetheremetEdwardtheConfessor,4? whodesiredtoasserthisrighttothe throneofEngland,whichCanutehadusurped. ToengageOlaf'said,he was promised the territory of Northumberland, in case of success. Yet, nothing of consequence resulted, although Olaf was enabled to realize some
booty, during his piratical descents, on that province. In the spring of 1017, Olaf essayed an attempt, on the south-west coast of England. There, however, he made very little impression ; but, soon afterwards, his ardent and active mind was bent on an adventure, which promised him a chance of success.
Finding this period of Danish depression favourable to his enterprise,
45 See Charles " Knight's
received at the Court of Solomon,
English Cyclo- poedia of Biography," vol. vii. , col. 69.
hospitably
46 See Michaud's "
selle Ancienne et Moderne," tome xxxi. , p. 22. 1.
King of Hungary. The sons of King Ethel-
by queen
Edward ; these fled into Normandy, to avoid the cruelty of Canute. See Matthaei Pari- siensis, Monachi Sancti Albani, "Chronica
Biographie
Univer-
red, his Emma, were Alfred and
Italy. *
Normandy,
1017,
47 By Canute, King of England, Eadward
and his brother Eadwin, sons of Edmund Majora," vol. i. , A. D. 1017, p. 501. Edited Ironside, had been banished, and they were by Henry Richards Luard.
454 LIVES OF 1HE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
and desirous of recovering the prestige of his family, the expelled Olaf, son to Harald, King of Norway, is stated to have resolved on returning to his
own country. However, before doing so, according to some accounts, he landed in England, where he had an interview with a hermit, who was a man of holy life and conversation. He had the gift of prophecy, likewise, and he is said to have predicted much of what should happen to Olaf, and even to have manifested the sort of death he should endure, before departing to Christ. A curious story is told, that while Olaf was in Northumbria, and accompanied by his brother Harald, they both agreed to sail for Norway in different vessels, and whosoever should first arrive there was to be recognised
—
proposal, and he waited even to assist at Mass, before weighing anchor ; while Harald, on the contrary, set sail at once, and now sure of success, he
pursued his course exultingly in the open sea. Notwithstanding the odds, both the brothers seem to have arrived nearly at the same time off Kyrkesund. It was surrounded by a reef of rocks, but within there was calm water, and theIsleofTjorn. WhileHarald,intheOrmen,waitedforthetidetoturn, and for a favourable gale, outside the reef; Olaf courageously faced the rocks, scarcely covered by the foaming breakers, but he passed over them unscathed, and thus outstripped his brother. Wherefore, it was allowed, that he should gain the crown of Norway. *8 Returning from his Continental and insular expeditions, knowing that King Canute was far distant from Norway, Olaf
hadthusarrivedinthatcountry. Hisfameasagreatandsuccessfulwarrior
had preceded him. He had also acquired much booty.
When Olaf landed in Norway, his first great desire was to visit his mother
Aasta, and his stepfather Sigurd Syr. He surprised her one day, and at an early hour in the morning; when, full of joy at his approach, she ordered her
servants to make all preparations for honouring her son, whose aspirations to thecrownofNorwaywerenosecrettoher. Messengersweresenttothecorn-
field, where the thrifty Sigurd Syr was out, and superintending the work of his labourers. His dress is described as consisting of a blue kirtle, with blue hose, a grey cloak and a broad-brimmed hat, and having shoes laced about the legs. He had a veil before his face, to keep off the mosquitoes ; while he had a staff in his hand with a silver-gilt head, and a silver ring round it. When he learned that Olaf was about to assert his claim to the crown of Norway, with his usual caution, he hesitated and said : "This means fighting allthepowerofSwedenandDenmark. " However,hiswifeAastahadgreat influence over him, and she was resolved to second her son's ambitious aims. For all Sigurd's objections, she had a ready reply; so that, in fine, his con- sent was rather reluctantly given to take an active part in this contest. Meantime, Olaf approached with one hundred well-armed men, having ban- ners displayed, and a number of the country people crowding to witness this unwonted display. The impetuous Aasta had already prepared a great feast, towhichallthepeoplehadbeenasked. ThehundredwarriorsofOlafwere invited in to partake of meat and drink, and these remained as the guests of Sigurd Syr, who entertained them. Alternately they had, one day fish and milk, and the next day flesh and ale. To do honour in the presence of his stepson Olaf—an aspirant to the throne of Norway—Sigurd dressed himself inhisfinestclothes,andhavingascarletcloakoverall, heputoncorduvan
as its " king.
said " the Ormen Harald,
we shall
meaning serpent—sails fast, but the Oxen sails slow. " Olaf accepted the
However,
change vessels,"
48 "He erected six small watch-towers in
memory of this miracle. Four piles of fallen and disappeared. "—Rev. S. Baring- brickwork remain on Tjorn, called at this Gould's " Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. ,
day S. Olaf's Vardar; two
out of the six have
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 455
ortannedleatherboots,towhichgoldenspurswerebound. Healsogirded on his sword, set a gilded helmet on his head, mounted his horse, and at the head of thirty well dressed men, he arranged to have a body-guard for Olaf. Agricultural labours were now to be laid aside, to undertake the risks of war. Meantime, Olaf made a tour through the Uplands, where he visited all the petty kings and chiefs, who were the largest farmers in each district, so that he might induce them to espouse his cause. He had much difficulty in engaging the services of many; for, they feared the result of a contest, which to them seemed an unequal one, so powerful were the Jarls who ruled over them. Notwithstanding, after considerable hesitation, all the Upland Kings and bonders agreed to draw their men together, and to proclaim Olaf as their
sovereign.
On the voyage to Norway, he had reached the Island called Saelo, which
is interpreted Lucky. 49 This seemed to him a presage for his future happi-
ness. He then said
:
" It is a happy day for me, to have landed on Lucky
Isle. " As they ascended it, the king slipped with one foot in the clay, but
""
he supported himself from falling with the other. Ah," said he, the king
falls. " " Nay," replied his trusty man Rane, " thou didst not fall, O king, but
" It may be so, if God wills it. " Thence he sailed into a place called Sautung- sund, or Ulfasunda, southwards fromSaela, where he remained for some days. Here he learned, that Hacon, son of Eric, and an aspirant for the greater part of Norway, had come with two ships. s° He was a nephew of King Canute. Olaf did not desire a needless effusion of blood ; but, he contrived
an ingenious device to take him prisoner. He had two vessels, and these he anchored at either side of the sound, while he stretched a stout cable between them. Hakon unsuspectingly rowed in between the ships, thinking these were merchant vessels. Then Olaf set his crews to wind the capstan, and to draw the cable up, and from under the keel of Hacon's ship. When the stern was thus lifted, the bows plunged downwards ; water rushed in, and thevesselsank,whilesomeofthecrewweredrowned. EarlHaconand most of his men were then made prisoners. Olaf offered him life and liberty to depart, on swearing that he would leave the country, and never again take armsagainsthim. ThisengagementHaconenteredupon,andtakingthe required oath, he was set free. Afterwards, he went to join his uncle, Canute the Great.
However, Olaf had another opponent to meet, and Jarl Sweyn or Swend nowcollectedanarmytoopposehim. Thisforceamountedto2,000men, whowereassembledatDrontheim. TheymarchedalongtheGualar-daleto surprise and attack Olaf. He had barely time to escape on board his ships, while leaving all his provisions on shore. These were seized by the army of Sweyn. Nothing more was attempted, however, during that winter. In spring, both Olaf and Sweyn prepared for an encounter. The former steered his fleet out from Viken to meet his opponents; since the northern contests were, for the most part, decided at sea. On the Saturday before Palm Sunday, the fleets were near each other, and preparations for a naval combat were made. King Olaf s
wascalledtheCarl's 1 becauseonitsbowwas a Head^ represented king's
only set fast foot in the soil. " Whereupon, the king laughed and said
:
ship
head, which had been carved with his own hands. In his vessels were one
July 29, p. 646.
49 According to Torfaeus, it was situated
about the middle of Norway. See " His-
torise Rerum Norvegicarum," tomus iii. , lib. i. , cap. xx. , p. 34.
5° A northern chronicler thus describes them.
" una parva, quam nos vocamus scuta, altera longa, quam antiqui vocabant liburnam. "
SI This might have been intended for
Charlemagne's Head, and Olaf held that
great Emperor in high veneration, having named his son Magnus after him.
4$6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29,
hundred men, armed with coats of ring-mail, and having foreign helmets. Most of his men had white shields, on which gilt crosses were emblazoned. Some of his men had a cross painted in red or blue. He had the cross painted,inapalecolour,onthefrontofalltheirhelmets. Thiswastosignify, that after the example of Constantine,52 he wished to conquer under that sign of our redemption. On his banner a serpent was figured. He made a religious preparation for this battle. He ordered Mass to be celebrated, and and at this he devoutly assisted. Then having supplied his mariners with meat and drink, he commanded his captains to sound their war-horns, to row forwards to meet the enemy, and to engage at once in battle. A furious struggle ensued, and the crews on both sides fought resolutely. However, this naval engagement was not of long duration. The victory inclined to Olaf,andJarlSweynsoonspreadhissailsinflight. Afterwards,heleftNor- way, and went to Russia, but he did not long survive that discomfiture. Having obtained success against his adversaries, Olaf delivered the people of Norway from the tyranny under which the Swedes and Danes had placed their land. In fine, he was able to assert his right to that throne, and he was received with general acclaim by nearly all his new subjects.
CHAPTER III.
THE INDEPENDENCE OF NORWAY ACHIEVED 15Y OI. AF—HE IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS SOLE KING—HE liKlNGS MISSIONARIKS THERE—HIS ZEAL TO SPREAD RELIGION-HIS ROYAL PROGRESSES—PEACE PROCLAIMED BETWEEN HIMSELF AND THE KING OF SWEDEN—ATTEMPTS TO ASSASSINATE OLAF, KING OF NORWAY—HE MARRIES ASTRIDA—HIS REGAL AND MISSIONARY TOURS—THE BIRTH OF HIS SON MAGNUS— HE INTRODUCES CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE PEOPLE OF GREENLAND, OF ICELAND, AND OF THE FAEROE ISLANDS.
The chiefs and men of Norway, on his arrival there, ranged under his banner,
andtheseproclaimedOlafKingofNorway. Foralongtime,thatcountry hadgroanedundertheyokeoftheSwedishKingOlausIII. , surnamedScot- Konung. The exiled Olaf had now undertaken its deliverance. 1 In the
opening of spring, a. d. 1017, he led an expeditionary force against the
southern and eastern parts of the kingdom. Having gone to Vika, he chased
from it those who had ruled there, in the name of Eric and of Hakon. The
people afterwards paid him tribute, and acknowledged him as their ruler.
The Swedes had occupied Tonsberg and the province of Bahusien ; but, a
certain chief named Thorer, an emissary of the Norway King, excited a popu-
lar tumult there, and the people slew their governor Eilif. Soon the power
of Olaf was established towards the north, at Raumelfa, near Bahusien, while
along the shores and islands, he was favourably received. The surrender of
2
Sarpsburg, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, crowned his triumph.
He was entirely successful, in this war, which lasted during the autumn and winter.
52 See Eusebius, in Vita Constantini, lib. i. , en p. xl.
1
( waiter in. — See Les Petits Bollan-
cap. x. , p. 368.
2
This-town was burned by the Swedes in 1617, as related by Undalin, lib. ii. , cap. v. I fowever, Frederick II. , King of Denmark, built another town nearer to the sea, and in the bishopric of Aggerhuus, to the south of Christiana. It was called Frederickstadt in his honour, and there has been erected a
distcs, "Vies des Saints," tome ix. , xxixc Jour de Juillet, p. 120. Olaus Scot- Konung was born a. d. 982, and when only eleven years of age, he succeeded Eric, his lather, on the throne, a. d. 993. See Thor- mod Torfaius' ; ' Series
and fortress. See " Gazetteer regular
el Re- gum D&nise, a primo eorum Skioldo Odini filio, ad Gornum Grandsevum," &c, lib. iii. ,
Dynaslorum
strong
of the World," vol. vi. , p. 463.
3 See Adam of Bremen, " Historian Eccle-
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 457
When he returned to the country of his paternal race, Olaf brought some ecclesiastics to convert his pagan subjects. 3 Among the missionaries from England* was one named Grimkele, who had been consecrated bishop of Drontheim, his capital. * Tin's pious prelate was a great favourite with the king, who made him a chief counsellor, so that nothing of importance was done without his advice. During the sway of Eric, of Sweyn, and of Hacon, in Norway, although their edicts were enforced with great exactness, and even severity ; yet, no effort had been made by them to promote Christianity, and as each person had been allowed to follow his own desires, so the people began to lapse generally into idolatry. Along the coasts of Norway, Chris- tianity alone spread, but although many had been there baptized, it seems, that few of them received sufficient instruction to ground them in the Faith. The first care of Olave, in accordance with the national usages of that country, was to convoke an Assembly of Sages, representing all classes of the people. ThenweresubjectedtotheirconsiderationthelawsofHacon,5 thealumnus or pupil of Adalstein, and who was the founder of Drontheim. We are informed, that to show his respect for the clergy, at his councils and enter- tainments, Olaf always placed Grimkele and the ecclesiastics at his right side, while the other chief councillors and officials sat at his left.
Whereupon, acting on their advice, King Olaf repealed or added certain enactments ; which modifications were supposed to be best suited for altered circum- stances of the time and place. Thus, he incorporated the Canon Law, known as Kristinrett, with the civil jurisprudence of the kingdom.
Above all things, he was most anxious, that good morals and order should everywhere prevail,
6
while he desired that Christianity should flourish throughout his dominions. He also exacted an oath of fidelity and obedience, from those representa- tivesofhissubjects,beforetheAssemblywasdissolved. t Thekingabolished all such ancient laws and usages, as were contrary to the Gospel. He also enacted other good laws, to promote order and morality throughout his king- dom. These he promulgated, not only throughout Norway, but even in the distant Iceland, and in the Orkneys, where his rule was respected.
In all the midland parts, and throughout the interior, especially among the mountains and valleys, the Norwegians were addicted to pagan usages, which they had derived from their ancestors. We are told, that at this time, Norway abounded in monsters of impiety, and that these indulged in practices ofbarbarism,whichhedesiredutterlytoextirpate. Thosepersonswerediviners, soothsayers, magicians, enchanters, and such satellites of Anti-Christ, who dwelt there ; while through their spells and magic arts, many unhappy souls had become slaves to the devils, who mocked at their blindness and folly. The good King Olaf grieved, that such scandals had caused a serious draw- back to the spread of Christianity in Norway, and he resolved on prosecuting their propagators with extreme rigour. So zealous was this king for the introduction of Christianity among his subjects, that he travelled in person from town to town, attended by a company of able Gospel preachers. In
siasticoe Ecclesiae Hamburgensis et Bremen- sis," &c, lib. ii. , cap. xl.
4 See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July xxix.
5 He was the first Christian King of Nor- way, having reigned from a. d. 935 to A. d.
Saints," tome ix. , xxixe Jour de Juillet, pp. 120, 121.
? " Nee ilia solicitudo regni limitibus ter- minibatur : majora de Christiana re mereri cupiens, anxie in vicinarum gentium mores et instituta praesertim quae religionetti spec- tabant, inquirebat ; Orcadensium nempe,
Hialtlanor—um, Fsereyensium, et Islando-
vegicarum," tomus ii. ,
"
Torfa. *us, Ilistoria Rerum Nor-
p. 78-
6
"
Histoiia Rerum Nor-
lib. i. ,
See Les Petits Bollandists' Vies des
950. See Torfaeus,
Appendix ii. ,
rum,"&c.
vegicarum," tomus iii. , lib. ii. , cap. ii. , pp. 63, 64.
45 8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
several places, he demolished the idolatrous temples by force, and much to the dislike of the more uncultivated mountaineers.
Whenever Olaf had an interval of repose, he endeavoured to gtfvern his
kingdom according to justice, but tempered with severity. Especially, he had great zeal to promote the glory of God, and the welfare of religion. It would seem, however, that fear of his power, rather than love for God, obliged numbers of his subjects to become obedient to their new sovereign's decrees. Having settled his kingdom—as was thought in peace—Olaf was anxious to eradicate all popular superstitions and pagan usages, so that his people might the sooner embrace the truths of the Gospel. However, this course of pro- ceeding raised against him many enemies, as the pagans were much addicted to their old superstitions and laws ; while these were abandoned, by most of them, with much reluctance. 8
The Sagas inform us, that when King Olaf was with his mother on a visit, she brought out her children, and showed them to him. The king took his brother Guttorm on one knee, and his brother Halfdan on the other. In a sportive mood with the children, the king made a wry face, and both the boys were frightened. Thereupon, Aasta brought her youngest son Harald
—then only three years old—and
also made a
without regarding it, the infant boy looked him steadily in the face. The king
face at him
took him by the hair, and plucked it; then that child seized the king's whiskers,
:
in retaliation, and gave them a tug. Whereupon Olaf cried out " Ah my
friend, hereafter thou shalt be revengeful. " When the king was walking about the farm next day with his mother, they came to a place where her sons Gu—t- torm and Halfdan we—re amusing themselves. At play, these were engaged as children often are with building imaginary houses and barns, which they were filling with supposed cattle and sheep. Beside them was a pool of water, where Harald was sailing chips of wood close to the edge. The king then asked what these were, and Harald answered, that they were his ships of
war. The king then laughed and said
:
thou wilt command ships. "
:
the
king
wry
;
but,
" The time may come, friend, when Then calling to him Guttorm and Halfdan, he from the former " What would thou like best to have ? " He
enquired
replied: "Corn-land. " "And how great wouldst thou like that corn-land
:
tobe? "askedthe ThensaidGuttorm "Iwouldhavethewhole
king.
of land that runs into the lake sown with corn every summer. " On that
tongue of land there were ten farms. The king replied : "There should b'e
:
a great deal of corn in it. " Then turning to Halfdan, Olaf asked " And
" :
Halfdan said
:
what wouldst thou best like to have ? " He replied
king enquired, how many he should wish to have.
they went to the lake to be watered, I would like to have so many, that they should stand as tight as they could around the lake. " Then Olaf replied : " That ought make a great house-keeping, and therein you take after your
father. " The
now turned to Harald, and said
" What wouldst thou
king
best like to have? " He replied :" House servants. " "And how many
O abletoeatupmybrother'scowsatasinglemeal,"saidHarald. Theking
"
wouldst thou like to have ? " asked the king.
laughed, and turning to Aasta, cried out :
so many as should be Here, mother, thou art bringing
up a king. "9
During the autumn of 1017, when peace had been ratified between him-
self and the King of Sweden, Olaf set out from Sarpsburg and went to
8 See Matthew of Paris, " Chronica Ma- 9 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
jora," vol. i. , p. 507. Edited by Henry the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, pp. 655,
Richards Luard, M. A.
656.
"
!
Cows. " Thenthe
:
" When
!
spit
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 459
Vingulmarch, so that he might have a royal progress among his people. He became a missionary as well as a monarch ; for, wherever he deemed it necessary to place a priest, he took care to found a station. The people refused in many instances to hear his preachers, and it would seem even, that the latter were persecuted by the heathens, in some shape or form. It maybe,thatmurdersoroutrageshadbeenperpetrated; for,thosepeoplewere exceedingly ferocious and barbarous, while the practices of those limes in the northern countries were often cruel and most revolting. Perhaps, also, the Christian temples had been ruined, or profaned, or the most sacred mysteries of religion had been abused ; otherwise, it should be very difficult to account for the very severe punishments, stated to have been inflicted on the idolaters,
so and humane a 10 A zealot in his endeavours to establish by just king.
Christianity, Olaf seems often to have wanted prudence, in the prosecution of his design ; while his arbitrary action and violent proceedings to overturn
idolatry caused much opposition, from a great proportion of his subjects. With three hundred soldiers. Olaf entered Raumarich, where he found that
Christianity had made little progress, and the king over that province seems to have greatly incurred his displeasure. The latter set out for Hraereck,
King of Heidmarch, and reputed to be one of the wisest among the Uplanders. His counsel was next sought, in that juncture of Hraereck's affairs. They next sent for Gudriod, King of Dalor, and the King of —Hada- land. The—se all assembled in the town of Heidmarch Hringisakro now Rindsaker where King Hring, the brother of Hraereck, dwelt and there
;
they conspired against King Olaf, whom they were resolved to depose and put to death. However, one Ketill Kalf had been in their confidence, and soon ordering his galley, in a short time he saw Olaf, and exposed all their designs. Without delay, the king convoked the chief counsellors of his kingdom,orderingthemtohavethreehundredsoldiersreadyforservice. His plans had been formed in great secrecy, and they were promptly executed. Having procured horses for his soldiers, and a fleet of vessels on the lake, all were to be in readiness for his approach, at a time appointed. Afterwards, going to the church, to assist devoutly at Mass, according to his usual cus- tom, and having arranged all things for his expedition, after dinner he went on board KethTs ship, with several companions, while the rest of his attend- ants embarked on other vessels. When the shades of evening set in, they began to row across the placid lake ; and, by daylight, they all reached Rindsaker,tothenumberoffourhundred. Theconspiratorswerearrested and surprised in a house, where they had assembled ; while, being unarmed and helpless, they were brought prisoners before King Olaf. As being the most astute and dangerous among them, he ordered Hraereck to be deprived of both eyes, while he cut off Gudriod's tongue ; Hring and the other two he banished from Norway, exacting from them an oath, that they would not return. Then, he confiscated all their districts, which lands he reserved for his own use. With the henchmen of those chiefs he dealt, according as they had been more or less deeply implicated or dangerous as conspirators.
The action of Olaf and his successes caused great hostility and hatred towards him, by Canute, King of Denmark and by Olaus, King of Sweden. Yet, the first was so much implicated in English affairs, that he could bestow little attentiononNorway; but,thelattercouldillbrookthelossofhisconquests
mutilatio
alii patibulo suffixi. Nemo inpunitus evasit,
10 " Torfaeus states :
Poena, sacra adver- nullo ordinum opumve discrimine psense santibus, exilium, vel manuum vel pedum exactae, nullus geometricse proportionis re-
:
aliis oculi eruti, alii
capite plexi,
Rerum
Historia Norvegica-
spectus. "—"
rum," tomus iii. , lib. ii. , cap. vii. , p. 72«
46o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
there, and he resolved on a prolongation of the war. During the winter of
1017, one Huit had been sent from Drontheim, by Olaf, to collect tribute;
but, passing through Jamtia, he was set upon by some Swedish soldiers, who took possession of his effects, and then killed him, with eleven of his attendants. International and commercial relations were now restrained. Olaus of Sweden could not conceal his disrespect and odium towards Olaf of Norway, whomhe wasaccustomed ironically to style The Fat, because of his cor- pulency, and this epithet stuck to our saint, especially among the Swedes. How- ever, the people both of Norway and of Sweden were now tired of war, while there were good reasons for their respective kings to be at peace. Still, the King of Sweden had determined on raising a force, which should enable him to recover his former dominion ; but, Olaf resolved on sending ambassadors,
with propositions for a peace. Accordingly, they went and appeared before the Great Thing, or Popular Assembly, at Upsal, where they opened their mission on behalf of Olaf. A project the latter had in view was to marry Ingegerd, so that mutual and family interests might the better contribute towards amity and alliance. One Rognuald or Raguald, a chief of West Gothland, had sided with Olaf of Norway during the summer, and this defec- tion greatly moved the anger of the Swedish Olaf. Vainly, however, did the legation of the former proceed, in the direction of an agreement, until Rognuald went to hold a conference with Thorgnyre, his fosterer and relation, who was also supreme judge at Upsal. The result was an agreement, that
they should assist each other, in representing to the unwilling king, that both the chiefs and people wished for peace, while seditions were likely to ensue, if those desires were not respected, besides the result might be loss of his kingdom and life for the Swedish monarch. These events are referred to about the commencement of 1018. Olaf's messengers laboured to per- suade Olaiis-Scot-Konung, that it should be impossible for him to maintain his rule over Norway, and the legates besought that king, in the interests of peace, to renounce his pretentions to it. However, the Swedish King scorn- fully rejected such a proposal. He even brusquely interrupted a Jarl of the Visigoths, who pronounced himself in favour of a peace. Then rose the old lagman of Tiundeland, who was named Thorgny, and he resolutely spoke to
:
the proud king these words " We peasants desire, O King Olaf, that you
make peace with the . Norwegian King, and that you bestow on him your daughter Ingegerd. If you wish to recover the eastern provinces possessed
by your ancestors, we are ready to follow you ; but, if you will not hear our words of advice, we shall fall upon and kill you, for we are not disposed to tole- rate your ambition. So have our forefathers done, when they cast five proud kings like yourself into the water/' The peasants who stood around mena- cingly brandished their arms, at the same time. Then, the king declared to the Norwegian ambassadors, that himself and his ancestors always sought a consultation with the peasants in such cases. 11 To these representations and menaces, the King of Sweden yielded, and resigned the government of Nor- way to his rival. As Olaf also desired Ingigerd, daughter to the King of Sweden, for his wife, her father promised she should be united to him in
marriage.
It seems wonderful, how Olaf in the midst of so many dangers and mis-
chances preserved his Faith and religious practices so exactly, that each morning in his life, he spent much time in prayer and in assisting at the Holy SacrificeoftheMass. Notwithstandingthecaresofstate,hewasespecially
"""
See Nouvdle Liographie Generale, Olaf III. , col. 580, 581.
de M. le Dr. Hoefer, tome xxxviii. Art. " According to some accounts, he was
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 461
mindful of self-sanctification and his spiritual duties, and to trust of Divine Providence in his regard must be attributed many a happy escape from adverse fortune. Having made a tour of inspection over Raumarchia, he visited in like manner Hadaland. During the winter of 1017, Sigurd Syr died, leaving three sons by his wife Aasta, who are named respectively Halfdan,
12
Guttorm, and Harald. In the spring of the year 1018, Olaf visited Southern
and Western Hordia. He had a fleet and mariners prepared for the autumn, when his nuptials were to be solemnized ; and, he desired that magnificence and ceremony should be manifested on the occasion.
Notwithstanding the barbarity of that sentence executed on Hraereck, Olaf seems to have felt compassion for his privation, and he would not let the blind man leave his presence, while he was treated with more than ordinary attention. He had two serving men to wait on him, and Olaf allowed him to sit on a high seat next himself. Yet, mindful of his former position, and having a rancorous hatred towards the king, Hraereck became taciturn and cross,forhismindwasbentonrevenge. Whilehewasindulgedwithsuperior dietary and fine clothes, he still continued cranky and capricious ; he used to bring his attendant servant out in the daytime, and then leading him away from the people, he beat the lad so cruelly, that he was obliged to run away. ThenHraereckcomplainedtoKingOlaf,thattheservantwouldnot attendhim. Hisservantswereconstantlychanged,fornonecouldbearwith his unaccountable humours. At length, the king appointed one Swend, a kinsman of his own, to wait on Hraereck. Still his morose ways and solitary walks were continued; but, one day, while he and Swend were alone, Hraereck became merry and talkative, recalling his former unclouded days, when he had sight and was a freeman. He then said
and my other relations are so degenerate as to allow the shame brought on ourracetoremainunavenged. " ThenSwendanswered,theyhadtoogreat a power to cope with, but Hraereck said a blind man might even kill the Fat Olaf, and at length he persuaded his relative to lend assistance. A plot was now laid, that when the king should go in to assist at vespers, Swend was to draw a dagger from beneath his cloak, and then plunge it in the king's body. However, as Olaf came out of the room, he walked quicker than Swend expected ; when, on looking the king in the face, the servant became deadly pale and his hand trembled. Observing this terror, the king asked the cause. Whereupon, Swend threw down his cloak and dagger, while he fell at the
" All is in God's thenorderedhimtobeseizedandmanacled. Hedirected,likewise,that
Hraereck's seat should be moved from his own to another position. Olaf, however, gave Swend his life, and he left the country. The king also
appointed a different lodging for Hraereck to sleep in, from that occupied by himself and by his attendants, while he set two of his court-men, who had long been with him, and whom he could trust, to attend Hraereck afterwards, both by night and by day.
Nevertheless, the captive's desire for vengeance was not appeased ; for, while the king was at Tunsberg, a much frequented place, Hraereck had engaged a Finn to have a vessel ready in the port. Having murdered his two guards one night, they endeavoured to reach the ship and so escape. But, one of the king's servants happening to stumble over the dead bodies in the dark, Olaf was instantly informed of what had occurred, and orders
were despatched to apprehend the fugitives. Hraereck was soon captured,
king's
feet
saying :
hand,
and in
thine,
O
king. "
The
king
only three years old at this time ; but, this is quite incorrect, for he must have been considerably older.
I3 Such is the account given by the monk Theordric of Nidrosia, in his Life of St, Olavus, chapter xvi.
:
" It is hard that you
462 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
and when no hope of escape was presented to his confederates, these run their ship ashore and hid themselves in the woods, while they killed one of the pursuers with an arrow. Having been brought back to the king, Hraereck was again pardoned, but he was guarded more strictly than before.
During that same year and in the same place, when the Sunday after Ascension Day came round, the king prepared to assist at High Mass. The Bishop in processional order led him to the throne, when Hraereck was allowed to remain at his side. Concealing his face in a cloak, Hraereck
placed his hand on the king's shoulder.
" It is a Festival we cele- Day
Olaf then
" Thou hast fine clothes to-day,
" I do not assent to all tell me about you
said he.
brate with reverence, and in memory of Christ's Ascension into Heaven. "
cousin,"
King
replied :
Hraereck
Christ ; much of what you relate is incredible to me, although doubtless, many wonderful things took place in former times. " At the commencement of Mass, proceeding from his place, and elevating his hands above his head, the king went upon his knees before the altar, and the cloak fell back on his shoulders. Then seizing his opportunity, Hraereck started up hastily, and having concealed a daggar under his cloak, he now drew it forth aiming at the king. However, the blow" was arrested by the cloak, which was cut, and the king sprang upon the floor to avoid the stroke. Another was dealt by Hraereck, but it was ill-directed, and the king escaped without a wound.
While Olaf was in Normandy, it is related, that he saw in a dream one
night a gigantic man, who warned him, that he must return to Norway, where he should receive his crown. After this, he went northwards, and on his way, it is said, that he plundered and burned Parthenay. It has been stated, that Olaf extended his conquests not alone to Normandy, but even to
the shores of and of Spain
6 While Olaf was in
a. d. hetheremetEdwardtheConfessor,4? whodesiredtoasserthisrighttothe throneofEngland,whichCanutehadusurped. ToengageOlaf'said,he was promised the territory of Northumberland, in case of success. Yet, nothing of consequence resulted, although Olaf was enabled to realize some
booty, during his piratical descents, on that province. In the spring of 1017, Olaf essayed an attempt, on the south-west coast of England. There, however, he made very little impression ; but, soon afterwards, his ardent and active mind was bent on an adventure, which promised him a chance of success.
Finding this period of Danish depression favourable to his enterprise,
45 See Charles " Knight's
received at the Court of Solomon,
English Cyclo- poedia of Biography," vol. vii. , col. 69.
hospitably
46 See Michaud's "
selle Ancienne et Moderne," tome xxxi. , p. 22. 1.
King of Hungary. The sons of King Ethel-
by queen
Edward ; these fled into Normandy, to avoid the cruelty of Canute. See Matthaei Pari- siensis, Monachi Sancti Albani, "Chronica
Biographie
Univer-
red, his Emma, were Alfred and
Italy. *
Normandy,
1017,
47 By Canute, King of England, Eadward
and his brother Eadwin, sons of Edmund Majora," vol. i. , A. D. 1017, p. 501. Edited Ironside, had been banished, and they were by Henry Richards Luard.
454 LIVES OF 1HE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
and desirous of recovering the prestige of his family, the expelled Olaf, son to Harald, King of Norway, is stated to have resolved on returning to his
own country. However, before doing so, according to some accounts, he landed in England, where he had an interview with a hermit, who was a man of holy life and conversation. He had the gift of prophecy, likewise, and he is said to have predicted much of what should happen to Olaf, and even to have manifested the sort of death he should endure, before departing to Christ. A curious story is told, that while Olaf was in Northumbria, and accompanied by his brother Harald, they both agreed to sail for Norway in different vessels, and whosoever should first arrive there was to be recognised
—
proposal, and he waited even to assist at Mass, before weighing anchor ; while Harald, on the contrary, set sail at once, and now sure of success, he
pursued his course exultingly in the open sea. Notwithstanding the odds, both the brothers seem to have arrived nearly at the same time off Kyrkesund. It was surrounded by a reef of rocks, but within there was calm water, and theIsleofTjorn. WhileHarald,intheOrmen,waitedforthetidetoturn, and for a favourable gale, outside the reef; Olaf courageously faced the rocks, scarcely covered by the foaming breakers, but he passed over them unscathed, and thus outstripped his brother. Wherefore, it was allowed, that he should gain the crown of Norway. *8 Returning from his Continental and insular expeditions, knowing that King Canute was far distant from Norway, Olaf
hadthusarrivedinthatcountry. Hisfameasagreatandsuccessfulwarrior
had preceded him. He had also acquired much booty.
When Olaf landed in Norway, his first great desire was to visit his mother
Aasta, and his stepfather Sigurd Syr. He surprised her one day, and at an early hour in the morning; when, full of joy at his approach, she ordered her
servants to make all preparations for honouring her son, whose aspirations to thecrownofNorwaywerenosecrettoher. Messengersweresenttothecorn-
field, where the thrifty Sigurd Syr was out, and superintending the work of his labourers. His dress is described as consisting of a blue kirtle, with blue hose, a grey cloak and a broad-brimmed hat, and having shoes laced about the legs. He had a veil before his face, to keep off the mosquitoes ; while he had a staff in his hand with a silver-gilt head, and a silver ring round it. When he learned that Olaf was about to assert his claim to the crown of Norway, with his usual caution, he hesitated and said : "This means fighting allthepowerofSwedenandDenmark. " However,hiswifeAastahadgreat influence over him, and she was resolved to second her son's ambitious aims. For all Sigurd's objections, she had a ready reply; so that, in fine, his con- sent was rather reluctantly given to take an active part in this contest. Meantime, Olaf approached with one hundred well-armed men, having ban- ners displayed, and a number of the country people crowding to witness this unwonted display. The impetuous Aasta had already prepared a great feast, towhichallthepeoplehadbeenasked. ThehundredwarriorsofOlafwere invited in to partake of meat and drink, and these remained as the guests of Sigurd Syr, who entertained them. Alternately they had, one day fish and milk, and the next day flesh and ale. To do honour in the presence of his stepson Olaf—an aspirant to the throne of Norway—Sigurd dressed himself inhisfinestclothes,andhavingascarletcloakoverall, heputoncorduvan
as its " king.
said " the Ormen Harald,
we shall
meaning serpent—sails fast, but the Oxen sails slow. " Olaf accepted the
However,
change vessels,"
48 "He erected six small watch-towers in
memory of this miracle. Four piles of fallen and disappeared. "—Rev. S. Baring- brickwork remain on Tjorn, called at this Gould's " Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. ,
day S. Olaf's Vardar; two
out of the six have
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 455
ortannedleatherboots,towhichgoldenspurswerebound. Healsogirded on his sword, set a gilded helmet on his head, mounted his horse, and at the head of thirty well dressed men, he arranged to have a body-guard for Olaf. Agricultural labours were now to be laid aside, to undertake the risks of war. Meantime, Olaf made a tour through the Uplands, where he visited all the petty kings and chiefs, who were the largest farmers in each district, so that he might induce them to espouse his cause. He had much difficulty in engaging the services of many; for, they feared the result of a contest, which to them seemed an unequal one, so powerful were the Jarls who ruled over them. Notwithstanding, after considerable hesitation, all the Upland Kings and bonders agreed to draw their men together, and to proclaim Olaf as their
sovereign.
On the voyage to Norway, he had reached the Island called Saelo, which
is interpreted Lucky. 49 This seemed to him a presage for his future happi-
ness. He then said
:
" It is a happy day for me, to have landed on Lucky
Isle. " As they ascended it, the king slipped with one foot in the clay, but
""
he supported himself from falling with the other. Ah," said he, the king
falls. " " Nay," replied his trusty man Rane, " thou didst not fall, O king, but
" It may be so, if God wills it. " Thence he sailed into a place called Sautung- sund, or Ulfasunda, southwards fromSaela, where he remained for some days. Here he learned, that Hacon, son of Eric, and an aspirant for the greater part of Norway, had come with two ships. s° He was a nephew of King Canute. Olaf did not desire a needless effusion of blood ; but, he contrived
an ingenious device to take him prisoner. He had two vessels, and these he anchored at either side of the sound, while he stretched a stout cable between them. Hakon unsuspectingly rowed in between the ships, thinking these were merchant vessels. Then Olaf set his crews to wind the capstan, and to draw the cable up, and from under the keel of Hacon's ship. When the stern was thus lifted, the bows plunged downwards ; water rushed in, and thevesselsank,whilesomeofthecrewweredrowned. EarlHaconand most of his men were then made prisoners. Olaf offered him life and liberty to depart, on swearing that he would leave the country, and never again take armsagainsthim. ThisengagementHaconenteredupon,andtakingthe required oath, he was set free. Afterwards, he went to join his uncle, Canute the Great.
However, Olaf had another opponent to meet, and Jarl Sweyn or Swend nowcollectedanarmytoopposehim. Thisforceamountedto2,000men, whowereassembledatDrontheim. TheymarchedalongtheGualar-daleto surprise and attack Olaf. He had barely time to escape on board his ships, while leaving all his provisions on shore. These were seized by the army of Sweyn. Nothing more was attempted, however, during that winter. In spring, both Olaf and Sweyn prepared for an encounter. The former steered his fleet out from Viken to meet his opponents; since the northern contests were, for the most part, decided at sea. On the Saturday before Palm Sunday, the fleets were near each other, and preparations for a naval combat were made. King Olaf s
wascalledtheCarl's 1 becauseonitsbowwas a Head^ represented king's
only set fast foot in the soil. " Whereupon, the king laughed and said
:
ship
head, which had been carved with his own hands. In his vessels were one
July 29, p. 646.
49 According to Torfaeus, it was situated
about the middle of Norway. See " His-
torise Rerum Norvegicarum," tomus iii. , lib. i. , cap. xx. , p. 34.
5° A northern chronicler thus describes them.
" una parva, quam nos vocamus scuta, altera longa, quam antiqui vocabant liburnam. "
SI This might have been intended for
Charlemagne's Head, and Olaf held that
great Emperor in high veneration, having named his son Magnus after him.
4$6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29,
hundred men, armed with coats of ring-mail, and having foreign helmets. Most of his men had white shields, on which gilt crosses were emblazoned. Some of his men had a cross painted in red or blue. He had the cross painted,inapalecolour,onthefrontofalltheirhelmets. Thiswastosignify, that after the example of Constantine,52 he wished to conquer under that sign of our redemption. On his banner a serpent was figured. He made a religious preparation for this battle. He ordered Mass to be celebrated, and and at this he devoutly assisted. Then having supplied his mariners with meat and drink, he commanded his captains to sound their war-horns, to row forwards to meet the enemy, and to engage at once in battle. A furious struggle ensued, and the crews on both sides fought resolutely. However, this naval engagement was not of long duration. The victory inclined to Olaf,andJarlSweynsoonspreadhissailsinflight. Afterwards,heleftNor- way, and went to Russia, but he did not long survive that discomfiture. Having obtained success against his adversaries, Olaf delivered the people of Norway from the tyranny under which the Swedes and Danes had placed their land. In fine, he was able to assert his right to that throne, and he was received with general acclaim by nearly all his new subjects.
CHAPTER III.
THE INDEPENDENCE OF NORWAY ACHIEVED 15Y OI. AF—HE IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS SOLE KING—HE liKlNGS MISSIONARIKS THERE—HIS ZEAL TO SPREAD RELIGION-HIS ROYAL PROGRESSES—PEACE PROCLAIMED BETWEEN HIMSELF AND THE KING OF SWEDEN—ATTEMPTS TO ASSASSINATE OLAF, KING OF NORWAY—HE MARRIES ASTRIDA—HIS REGAL AND MISSIONARY TOURS—THE BIRTH OF HIS SON MAGNUS— HE INTRODUCES CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE PEOPLE OF GREENLAND, OF ICELAND, AND OF THE FAEROE ISLANDS.
The chiefs and men of Norway, on his arrival there, ranged under his banner,
andtheseproclaimedOlafKingofNorway. Foralongtime,thatcountry hadgroanedundertheyokeoftheSwedishKingOlausIII. , surnamedScot- Konung. The exiled Olaf had now undertaken its deliverance. 1 In the
opening of spring, a. d. 1017, he led an expeditionary force against the
southern and eastern parts of the kingdom. Having gone to Vika, he chased
from it those who had ruled there, in the name of Eric and of Hakon. The
people afterwards paid him tribute, and acknowledged him as their ruler.
The Swedes had occupied Tonsberg and the province of Bahusien ; but, a
certain chief named Thorer, an emissary of the Norway King, excited a popu-
lar tumult there, and the people slew their governor Eilif. Soon the power
of Olaf was established towards the north, at Raumelfa, near Bahusien, while
along the shores and islands, he was favourably received. The surrender of
2
Sarpsburg, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, crowned his triumph.
He was entirely successful, in this war, which lasted during the autumn and winter.
52 See Eusebius, in Vita Constantini, lib. i. , en p. xl.
1
( waiter in. — See Les Petits Bollan-
cap. x. , p. 368.
2
This-town was burned by the Swedes in 1617, as related by Undalin, lib. ii. , cap. v. I fowever, Frederick II. , King of Denmark, built another town nearer to the sea, and in the bishopric of Aggerhuus, to the south of Christiana. It was called Frederickstadt in his honour, and there has been erected a
distcs, "Vies des Saints," tome ix. , xxixc Jour de Juillet, p. 120. Olaus Scot- Konung was born a. d. 982, and when only eleven years of age, he succeeded Eric, his lather, on the throne, a. d. 993. See Thor- mod Torfaius' ; ' Series
and fortress. See " Gazetteer regular
el Re- gum D&nise, a primo eorum Skioldo Odini filio, ad Gornum Grandsevum," &c, lib. iii. ,
Dynaslorum
strong
of the World," vol. vi. , p. 463.
3 See Adam of Bremen, " Historian Eccle-
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 457
When he returned to the country of his paternal race, Olaf brought some ecclesiastics to convert his pagan subjects. 3 Among the missionaries from England* was one named Grimkele, who had been consecrated bishop of Drontheim, his capital. * Tin's pious prelate was a great favourite with the king, who made him a chief counsellor, so that nothing of importance was done without his advice. During the sway of Eric, of Sweyn, and of Hacon, in Norway, although their edicts were enforced with great exactness, and even severity ; yet, no effort had been made by them to promote Christianity, and as each person had been allowed to follow his own desires, so the people began to lapse generally into idolatry. Along the coasts of Norway, Chris- tianity alone spread, but although many had been there baptized, it seems, that few of them received sufficient instruction to ground them in the Faith. The first care of Olave, in accordance with the national usages of that country, was to convoke an Assembly of Sages, representing all classes of the people. ThenweresubjectedtotheirconsiderationthelawsofHacon,5 thealumnus or pupil of Adalstein, and who was the founder of Drontheim. We are informed, that to show his respect for the clergy, at his councils and enter- tainments, Olaf always placed Grimkele and the ecclesiastics at his right side, while the other chief councillors and officials sat at his left.
Whereupon, acting on their advice, King Olaf repealed or added certain enactments ; which modifications were supposed to be best suited for altered circum- stances of the time and place. Thus, he incorporated the Canon Law, known as Kristinrett, with the civil jurisprudence of the kingdom.
Above all things, he was most anxious, that good morals and order should everywhere prevail,
6
while he desired that Christianity should flourish throughout his dominions. He also exacted an oath of fidelity and obedience, from those representa- tivesofhissubjects,beforetheAssemblywasdissolved. t Thekingabolished all such ancient laws and usages, as were contrary to the Gospel. He also enacted other good laws, to promote order and morality throughout his king- dom. These he promulgated, not only throughout Norway, but even in the distant Iceland, and in the Orkneys, where his rule was respected.
In all the midland parts, and throughout the interior, especially among the mountains and valleys, the Norwegians were addicted to pagan usages, which they had derived from their ancestors. We are told, that at this time, Norway abounded in monsters of impiety, and that these indulged in practices ofbarbarism,whichhedesiredutterlytoextirpate. Thosepersonswerediviners, soothsayers, magicians, enchanters, and such satellites of Anti-Christ, who dwelt there ; while through their spells and magic arts, many unhappy souls had become slaves to the devils, who mocked at their blindness and folly. The good King Olaf grieved, that such scandals had caused a serious draw- back to the spread of Christianity in Norway, and he resolved on prosecuting their propagators with extreme rigour. So zealous was this king for the introduction of Christianity among his subjects, that he travelled in person from town to town, attended by a company of able Gospel preachers. In
siasticoe Ecclesiae Hamburgensis et Bremen- sis," &c, lib. ii. , cap. xl.
4 See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July xxix.
5 He was the first Christian King of Nor- way, having reigned from a. d. 935 to A. d.
Saints," tome ix. , xxixe Jour de Juillet, pp. 120, 121.
? " Nee ilia solicitudo regni limitibus ter- minibatur : majora de Christiana re mereri cupiens, anxie in vicinarum gentium mores et instituta praesertim quae religionetti spec- tabant, inquirebat ; Orcadensium nempe,
Hialtlanor—um, Fsereyensium, et Islando-
vegicarum," tomus ii. ,
"
Torfa. *us, Ilistoria Rerum Nor-
p. 78-
6
"
Histoiia Rerum Nor-
lib. i. ,
See Les Petits Bollandists' Vies des
950. See Torfaeus,
Appendix ii. ,
rum,"&c.
vegicarum," tomus iii. , lib. ii. , cap. ii. , pp. 63, 64.
45 8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
several places, he demolished the idolatrous temples by force, and much to the dislike of the more uncultivated mountaineers.
Whenever Olaf had an interval of repose, he endeavoured to gtfvern his
kingdom according to justice, but tempered with severity. Especially, he had great zeal to promote the glory of God, and the welfare of religion. It would seem, however, that fear of his power, rather than love for God, obliged numbers of his subjects to become obedient to their new sovereign's decrees. Having settled his kingdom—as was thought in peace—Olaf was anxious to eradicate all popular superstitions and pagan usages, so that his people might the sooner embrace the truths of the Gospel. However, this course of pro- ceeding raised against him many enemies, as the pagans were much addicted to their old superstitions and laws ; while these were abandoned, by most of them, with much reluctance. 8
The Sagas inform us, that when King Olaf was with his mother on a visit, she brought out her children, and showed them to him. The king took his brother Guttorm on one knee, and his brother Halfdan on the other. In a sportive mood with the children, the king made a wry face, and both the boys were frightened. Thereupon, Aasta brought her youngest son Harald
—then only three years old—and
also made a
without regarding it, the infant boy looked him steadily in the face. The king
face at him
took him by the hair, and plucked it; then that child seized the king's whiskers,
:
in retaliation, and gave them a tug. Whereupon Olaf cried out " Ah my
friend, hereafter thou shalt be revengeful. " When the king was walking about the farm next day with his mother, they came to a place where her sons Gu—t- torm and Halfdan we—re amusing themselves. At play, these were engaged as children often are with building imaginary houses and barns, which they were filling with supposed cattle and sheep. Beside them was a pool of water, where Harald was sailing chips of wood close to the edge. The king then asked what these were, and Harald answered, that they were his ships of
war. The king then laughed and said
:
thou wilt command ships. "
:
the
king
wry
;
but,
" The time may come, friend, when Then calling to him Guttorm and Halfdan, he from the former " What would thou like best to have ? " He
enquired
replied: "Corn-land. " "And how great wouldst thou like that corn-land
:
tobe? "askedthe ThensaidGuttorm "Iwouldhavethewhole
king.
of land that runs into the lake sown with corn every summer. " On that
tongue of land there were ten farms. The king replied : "There should b'e
:
a great deal of corn in it. " Then turning to Halfdan, Olaf asked " And
" :
Halfdan said
:
what wouldst thou best like to have ? " He replied
king enquired, how many he should wish to have.
they went to the lake to be watered, I would like to have so many, that they should stand as tight as they could around the lake. " Then Olaf replied : " That ought make a great house-keeping, and therein you take after your
father. " The
now turned to Harald, and said
" What wouldst thou
king
best like to have? " He replied :" House servants. " "And how many
O abletoeatupmybrother'scowsatasinglemeal,"saidHarald. Theking
"
wouldst thou like to have ? " asked the king.
laughed, and turning to Aasta, cried out :
so many as should be Here, mother, thou art bringing
up a king. "9
During the autumn of 1017, when peace had been ratified between him-
self and the King of Sweden, Olaf set out from Sarpsburg and went to
8 See Matthew of Paris, " Chronica Ma- 9 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
jora," vol. i. , p. 507. Edited by Henry the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, pp. 655,
Richards Luard, M. A.
656.
"
!
Cows. " Thenthe
:
" When
!
spit
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 459
Vingulmarch, so that he might have a royal progress among his people. He became a missionary as well as a monarch ; for, wherever he deemed it necessary to place a priest, he took care to found a station. The people refused in many instances to hear his preachers, and it would seem even, that the latter were persecuted by the heathens, in some shape or form. It maybe,thatmurdersoroutrageshadbeenperpetrated; for,thosepeoplewere exceedingly ferocious and barbarous, while the practices of those limes in the northern countries were often cruel and most revolting. Perhaps, also, the Christian temples had been ruined, or profaned, or the most sacred mysteries of religion had been abused ; otherwise, it should be very difficult to account for the very severe punishments, stated to have been inflicted on the idolaters,
so and humane a 10 A zealot in his endeavours to establish by just king.
Christianity, Olaf seems often to have wanted prudence, in the prosecution of his design ; while his arbitrary action and violent proceedings to overturn
idolatry caused much opposition, from a great proportion of his subjects. With three hundred soldiers. Olaf entered Raumarich, where he found that
Christianity had made little progress, and the king over that province seems to have greatly incurred his displeasure. The latter set out for Hraereck,
King of Heidmarch, and reputed to be one of the wisest among the Uplanders. His counsel was next sought, in that juncture of Hraereck's affairs. They next sent for Gudriod, King of Dalor, and the King of —Hada- land. The—se all assembled in the town of Heidmarch Hringisakro now Rindsaker where King Hring, the brother of Hraereck, dwelt and there
;
they conspired against King Olaf, whom they were resolved to depose and put to death. However, one Ketill Kalf had been in their confidence, and soon ordering his galley, in a short time he saw Olaf, and exposed all their designs. Without delay, the king convoked the chief counsellors of his kingdom,orderingthemtohavethreehundredsoldiersreadyforservice. His plans had been formed in great secrecy, and they were promptly executed. Having procured horses for his soldiers, and a fleet of vessels on the lake, all were to be in readiness for his approach, at a time appointed. Afterwards, going to the church, to assist devoutly at Mass, according to his usual cus- tom, and having arranged all things for his expedition, after dinner he went on board KethTs ship, with several companions, while the rest of his attend- ants embarked on other vessels. When the shades of evening set in, they began to row across the placid lake ; and, by daylight, they all reached Rindsaker,tothenumberoffourhundred. Theconspiratorswerearrested and surprised in a house, where they had assembled ; while, being unarmed and helpless, they were brought prisoners before King Olaf. As being the most astute and dangerous among them, he ordered Hraereck to be deprived of both eyes, while he cut off Gudriod's tongue ; Hring and the other two he banished from Norway, exacting from them an oath, that they would not return. Then, he confiscated all their districts, which lands he reserved for his own use. With the henchmen of those chiefs he dealt, according as they had been more or less deeply implicated or dangerous as conspirators.
The action of Olaf and his successes caused great hostility and hatred towards him, by Canute, King of Denmark and by Olaus, King of Sweden. Yet, the first was so much implicated in English affairs, that he could bestow little attentiononNorway; but,thelattercouldillbrookthelossofhisconquests
mutilatio
alii patibulo suffixi. Nemo inpunitus evasit,
10 " Torfaeus states :
Poena, sacra adver- nullo ordinum opumve discrimine psense santibus, exilium, vel manuum vel pedum exactae, nullus geometricse proportionis re-
:
aliis oculi eruti, alii
capite plexi,
Rerum
Historia Norvegica-
spectus. "—"
rum," tomus iii. , lib. ii. , cap. vii. , p. 72«
46o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
there, and he resolved on a prolongation of the war. During the winter of
1017, one Huit had been sent from Drontheim, by Olaf, to collect tribute;
but, passing through Jamtia, he was set upon by some Swedish soldiers, who took possession of his effects, and then killed him, with eleven of his attendants. International and commercial relations were now restrained. Olaus of Sweden could not conceal his disrespect and odium towards Olaf of Norway, whomhe wasaccustomed ironically to style The Fat, because of his cor- pulency, and this epithet stuck to our saint, especially among the Swedes. How- ever, the people both of Norway and of Sweden were now tired of war, while there were good reasons for their respective kings to be at peace. Still, the King of Sweden had determined on raising a force, which should enable him to recover his former dominion ; but, Olaf resolved on sending ambassadors,
with propositions for a peace. Accordingly, they went and appeared before the Great Thing, or Popular Assembly, at Upsal, where they opened their mission on behalf of Olaf. A project the latter had in view was to marry Ingegerd, so that mutual and family interests might the better contribute towards amity and alliance. One Rognuald or Raguald, a chief of West Gothland, had sided with Olaf of Norway during the summer, and this defec- tion greatly moved the anger of the Swedish Olaf. Vainly, however, did the legation of the former proceed, in the direction of an agreement, until Rognuald went to hold a conference with Thorgnyre, his fosterer and relation, who was also supreme judge at Upsal. The result was an agreement, that
they should assist each other, in representing to the unwilling king, that both the chiefs and people wished for peace, while seditions were likely to ensue, if those desires were not respected, besides the result might be loss of his kingdom and life for the Swedish monarch. These events are referred to about the commencement of 1018. Olaf's messengers laboured to per- suade Olaiis-Scot-Konung, that it should be impossible for him to maintain his rule over Norway, and the legates besought that king, in the interests of peace, to renounce his pretentions to it. However, the Swedish King scorn- fully rejected such a proposal. He even brusquely interrupted a Jarl of the Visigoths, who pronounced himself in favour of a peace. Then rose the old lagman of Tiundeland, who was named Thorgny, and he resolutely spoke to
:
the proud king these words " We peasants desire, O King Olaf, that you
make peace with the . Norwegian King, and that you bestow on him your daughter Ingegerd. If you wish to recover the eastern provinces possessed
by your ancestors, we are ready to follow you ; but, if you will not hear our words of advice, we shall fall upon and kill you, for we are not disposed to tole- rate your ambition. So have our forefathers done, when they cast five proud kings like yourself into the water/' The peasants who stood around mena- cingly brandished their arms, at the same time. Then, the king declared to the Norwegian ambassadors, that himself and his ancestors always sought a consultation with the peasants in such cases. 11 To these representations and menaces, the King of Sweden yielded, and resigned the government of Nor- way to his rival. As Olaf also desired Ingigerd, daughter to the King of Sweden, for his wife, her father promised she should be united to him in
marriage.
It seems wonderful, how Olaf in the midst of so many dangers and mis-
chances preserved his Faith and religious practices so exactly, that each morning in his life, he spent much time in prayer and in assisting at the Holy SacrificeoftheMass. Notwithstandingthecaresofstate,hewasespecially
"""
See Nouvdle Liographie Generale, Olaf III. , col. 580, 581.
de M. le Dr. Hoefer, tome xxxviii. Art. " According to some accounts, he was
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 461
mindful of self-sanctification and his spiritual duties, and to trust of Divine Providence in his regard must be attributed many a happy escape from adverse fortune. Having made a tour of inspection over Raumarchia, he visited in like manner Hadaland. During the winter of 1017, Sigurd Syr died, leaving three sons by his wife Aasta, who are named respectively Halfdan,
12
Guttorm, and Harald. In the spring of the year 1018, Olaf visited Southern
and Western Hordia. He had a fleet and mariners prepared for the autumn, when his nuptials were to be solemnized ; and, he desired that magnificence and ceremony should be manifested on the occasion.
Notwithstanding the barbarity of that sentence executed on Hraereck, Olaf seems to have felt compassion for his privation, and he would not let the blind man leave his presence, while he was treated with more than ordinary attention. He had two serving men to wait on him, and Olaf allowed him to sit on a high seat next himself. Yet, mindful of his former position, and having a rancorous hatred towards the king, Hraereck became taciturn and cross,forhismindwasbentonrevenge. Whilehewasindulgedwithsuperior dietary and fine clothes, he still continued cranky and capricious ; he used to bring his attendant servant out in the daytime, and then leading him away from the people, he beat the lad so cruelly, that he was obliged to run away. ThenHraereckcomplainedtoKingOlaf,thattheservantwouldnot attendhim. Hisservantswereconstantlychanged,fornonecouldbearwith his unaccountable humours. At length, the king appointed one Swend, a kinsman of his own, to wait on Hraereck. Still his morose ways and solitary walks were continued; but, one day, while he and Swend were alone, Hraereck became merry and talkative, recalling his former unclouded days, when he had sight and was a freeman. He then said
and my other relations are so degenerate as to allow the shame brought on ourracetoremainunavenged. " ThenSwendanswered,theyhadtoogreat a power to cope with, but Hraereck said a blind man might even kill the Fat Olaf, and at length he persuaded his relative to lend assistance. A plot was now laid, that when the king should go in to assist at vespers, Swend was to draw a dagger from beneath his cloak, and then plunge it in the king's body. However, as Olaf came out of the room, he walked quicker than Swend expected ; when, on looking the king in the face, the servant became deadly pale and his hand trembled. Observing this terror, the king asked the cause. Whereupon, Swend threw down his cloak and dagger, while he fell at the
" All is in God's thenorderedhimtobeseizedandmanacled. Hedirected,likewise,that
Hraereck's seat should be moved from his own to another position. Olaf, however, gave Swend his life, and he left the country. The king also
appointed a different lodging for Hraereck to sleep in, from that occupied by himself and by his attendants, while he set two of his court-men, who had long been with him, and whom he could trust, to attend Hraereck afterwards, both by night and by day.
Nevertheless, the captive's desire for vengeance was not appeased ; for, while the king was at Tunsberg, a much frequented place, Hraereck had engaged a Finn to have a vessel ready in the port. Having murdered his two guards one night, they endeavoured to reach the ship and so escape. But, one of the king's servants happening to stumble over the dead bodies in the dark, Olaf was instantly informed of what had occurred, and orders
were despatched to apprehend the fugitives. Hraereck was soon captured,
king's
feet
saying :
hand,
and in
thine,
O
king. "
The
king
only three years old at this time ; but, this is quite incorrect, for he must have been considerably older.
I3 Such is the account given by the monk Theordric of Nidrosia, in his Life of St, Olavus, chapter xvi.
:
" It is hard that you
462 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
and when no hope of escape was presented to his confederates, these run their ship ashore and hid themselves in the woods, while they killed one of the pursuers with an arrow. Having been brought back to the king, Hraereck was again pardoned, but he was guarded more strictly than before.
During that same year and in the same place, when the Sunday after Ascension Day came round, the king prepared to assist at High Mass. The Bishop in processional order led him to the throne, when Hraereck was allowed to remain at his side. Concealing his face in a cloak, Hraereck
placed his hand on the king's shoulder.
" It is a Festival we cele- Day
Olaf then
" Thou hast fine clothes to-day,
" I do not assent to all tell me about you
said he.
brate with reverence, and in memory of Christ's Ascension into Heaven. "
cousin,"
King
replied :
Hraereck
Christ ; much of what you relate is incredible to me, although doubtless, many wonderful things took place in former times. " At the commencement of Mass, proceeding from his place, and elevating his hands above his head, the king went upon his knees before the altar, and the cloak fell back on his shoulders. Then seizing his opportunity, Hraereck started up hastily, and having concealed a daggar under his cloak, he now drew it forth aiming at the king. However, the blow" was arrested by the cloak, which was cut, and the king sprang upon the floor to avoid the stroke. Another was dealt by Hraereck, but it was ill-directed, and the king escaped without a wound.
