Towards morning, slumber fell upon him ; yet, he awoke early, and while daylight was
breaking
over the pine-clad Norwegian moun-
farmers along their route.
farmers along their route.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
475
that Canute left Norway, with a few volunteers he went on board ; but, to his demand for troops and provisions, little heed was taken by his former lieges. When chased from Norway, Olaf sailed for Denmark, where he spread terror among the islands of that kingdom. Then Olaus made an effort to raise troops in another part of the kingdom ; but, he was not successful in that attempt. Towards the end of 1028, Olaf took shipping for Lindisnesia, but as his vessels steered towards the north, the winds became adverse. This juncture was observed by his enemy, Erling, who, bringing together a large number of ships, followed the king's movements, but with a haste fatal to himself. For the south winds soon prevailed, and with them Olaf seemed to be escaping from his pursuit. Then anxious to engage, Erling took advan- tage of the speed of that vessel, which bore his flag, and separating at a con- siderable distance from the other vessels, he came up with Olaf at the promon- tory near Bukke Fiords A desperate sea-fight then ensued. As none of the other ships came to his aid, Erling resolved to sell his life dearly as possible, and he fought with all the energy of despair. When his mariners and warriors fell around him almost to the last man, the flag-ship was captured, and he was taken alive. Still Olaf wished to spare his captive, but one Aslac would not hear of it, and with a stroke of his battle-axe, he clove open the head of the perfidious Erling. When the other vessels closed upon Olaf's fleet, although their ships were more numerous, yet they declined an engagement, and busied themselves with the interment of their admiral and of hisslaincompanions. Freedfromthatdanger,thefurtherhesailednorth- wards, the more did calamities impend ; for while the sons of Erling had prepared a force to follow in his wake, the fleet of Hacon, with great numbers on board, was now sailing out to meet him from another quarter. Moreover, Olaf found several of his followers then disposed to desert him, and to join the more powerful party. No other course remained to save his Jife, with the lives of his soldiers and mariners, than to leave his vessels, and to fly towards themountains. HisjourneytoLesiaandGudbrandDalewasfullofperil, while the Icelandic accounts have it, that many miracles were wrought on the way. Four hundred of a hosting that accompanied him and one hundred agriculturists were relieved with food, when famine threatened them, through the prayers of St. Olaf. Again, large rocks are said to have opened a passage forthefugitives,whenhishandhadbeenappliedtoremovethem. More- over, when the king had washed his hands in a certain fountain, that issued from a cave, in after time, the waters were in request to cure cattle that became distempered. 38 The place was afterwards denominated St. Olaf's cave.
From Gudbrand Dale, taking his wife Astride, their daughter Ulfhilde, and his son Magnus, with Bishop Sigurd, Olaf next passed through Heidmarch, Vermia, and Nericia, amid the rigours of a Norwegian winter ; and, in the spring of 1029, he reached Amund, the King of Sweden, who gave them hospitality and protection, in their great distress.
However, not deeming himself safe in Sweden, Olave was obliged to fly for refuge during the summer of 1029 into Russia, where the grand Duke Jaroslaw 39 ruled. The latter had married the more nobly born sister of Olaf's wife, and he honourably and hospitably received the fugitive king. Having left Astride and his daughter Ulfhilde in Sweden, and to the care of its
3? This is an extensive indentation off the south- west coast of Norway, running between the islands of Ilvidding and Rennis, and
"
gicarum," tomus Hi. , lib. hi. , cap. i. , pp. 176 to 182.
39 In the short Acts of our saint, published those of Karmoe and Bukken. See Ga- b—y the Bollandists, he is styled Jarzellanus zetteer of the World," vol. iii. , p. 117. evidently a copyist's mistake for Jaris-
38 See Torfeus' " Historic Rerum Norve- lavus.
476 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 29.
monarch, Olaf brought his son Magnus into Russia. * Residing in Russia, Olafin no way neglected his religious and moral obligations; while with the
people he became most popular. He even wrought several miracles, and they regarded him as a saint. A widow lady of some distinction had a son, whose throat was affected by an ulcer, so that when trying to speak or even to breathe, he had violent contortions. At the request oflngigerd, the queen, Olaf applied his hands to the boy, until his throat was healed, and then taking some bread in the hollow of his hand, it was formed into a cross and given to the child. When he had swallowed it, all pain departed, and the boy was perfectly cured, in the course of a few days. As serving to illustrate the extreme reverence he had for the Sunday, the Sagas relate, that while on such a day Olaf sat on his royal seat, he fell into a profound reverie, and he did not think on theaction, which then engaged him, but in a sort of mechanical manner. Heheldapieceoffirwoodinhishand,andfromtimetotime,he cut splinters from it with a knife. Then the chief waiter cautiously remarked, that it should be Monday on the day following. This reminded the king,
that he was violating the Lord's Day. Whereupon, collecting all the shavings he had made, and placing them on the extended palm of his hand, he set fire tothemwithacandle,andthereheallowedthemtoburnintoashes. Thus, did he bear such torture with astonishing fortitude, as a punishment for his
because he had one of God's Commandments. *1 neglected
negligence,
Nor had Olaf remained long in Russia, when news reached him in theautumn
of 1029, that returning with his wife from England, Hacon had perished at sea. 42 It seems most likely, this accident became known in Norway, long before the account of it reached England. 4^ One Biorn, a merchant, who had given in his submission to Hacon, when King Olaf fled, having heard what occurred, now believed that his allegiance returned to the exiled monarch, and that he was absolved from his Oath of fidelity, apparently given with great reluctance. He at once hastened to Russia, towards the close of that year, and having sought Olaf, he endeavoured to argue, that Providence hadthusthrowninhiswayagoodopportunityforrecoveringNorway. By some writers, it is stated, that many of the Norwegian chiefs had sent emissa- ries, to urge upon Olaf a like course of action. This news differently affected Olaf and the companions of his exile ; for, while the latter desired to return, and to recover their lost properties and positions in Norway, Olaf preferred a quiet life in Russia, where he might solely devote himself to heavenly con- templation, and to a complete union with God. The more experience of the world he had, the more he disliked its cares ; while above all things, he detested the bloodshed of wars, the tumult of camps, and the pomp of courts. According to some accounts, while Olaf was in Russia, he had seriousthoughtsofembracingareligiouslife. Foratime,andwhilereverses overtook him, Olaf had formed the project of going to Jerusalem, where he intendedtoseekretirementinamonastery; but,hewasunabletofulfillthis purpose, and circumstances soon changed it into another resolution. Biorn and the king's Norwegian partisans urged him to return, and to vindicate his rights, at that favourable time ; nor did they neglect to move him, by stating, that he could restore the practices of Christianity through his apostolic zeal ;
40 See Heimskringla edr Noregs Konunga- Sogor," of Snorra Sturlusyni, lomus ii. , cap. exci. , p. 315.
41 See Saxo Gramniaticus " Historian Da- niece," lib. x. , when treating about the reign of Canute the Great.
rium nusquam comparentium, nuntio. "—
"
IlistoriaRerum Norvegicarum,"tomusiii. , lib. iii. , cap. ii. , pp. 182, 183.
that Ilacun was killed in the Orkney Islands. See William Stubbs' "Chronica Magistri Rogeri de
Uoucdene," vol. i. , p. 88.
*' "
Torfseus adds
:
mullo, prater deside-
43 Other accounts have
it,
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 477
however, Jarislav and Ingigerd took opposite views, and counselled him to live with them a quiet life in Russia, where a field was open for his religious
action. Jarislav offered Bulgaria, likewise, to Olaf, proposing also that he should convert it to Christianity. ** Being very anxious, to consult the will of God in the matter, and to abide by it alone, Olaf had recourse to prayer. While asleep, he had a vision,''5 in which it seemed to him,*6 a Divine inspi- ration 47 was given, that he should leave for Norway. In vain did Jarislav or Ingigerd try their blandishments and arguments, to dissuade" him from this purpose, for his resolution was now firmly taken. Placing his whole trust in God, and still deeming it a duty to repress the idolaters in Norway, he resolved to renew the war. Wherefore, leaving Magnus to the care of Jarislav
and of his aunt Ingigerd, Olaf began to make the necessary preparations for
his own departure.
He felt persuaded, that it was the will of heaven, he should return to his
native country. His first object was to gain the approval of Amund, King of Sweden, and this monarch approved of his project, to make his expedition
the Swedish
for back Norway
8 In the month of
January, he parted for Sweden. He was accompanied by Bishop Sigurd, and by a band, consisting of about two hundred attendants. The seat of royalty was then at Holmgard. In the spring of 1030, he reached Arosia. Not only was he
joyfully received by his wife and daughter, but also by the King of Sweden, who manifested his friendly feelings and hospitality. The report of his leaving Russia to invade Norway soon spread, and Olaf remained in Sweden longer than was politic, for it gave his numerous disaffected, subjects time and oppor- tunity to organize a force in opposition to him. We learn from Adam of
Bremen, that the Magi of Norway were chiefly instrumental in effecting his overthrow, as it was against them his hostility had been mainly directed. When it became known in Sweden, that the people of Norway were so hostile to their exiled king ; several followers abandoned his fortunes, while many of his counsellors advised him to relinquish his expedition altogether, or at least, to seek a more favourable opportunity for its issue. Notwithstanding, Olaf was resolved to try his fortune once more, and he began to assemble a force to meet his rebellious subjects. His firm belief was, that the idolaters there should either become Christian or be banished from the country altogether. However, it did not happen that his efforts had been crowned with success ;
although his valour was undoubtedly displayed in action, while his love of
justice was recognised even by his enemies. .
With the King of Sweden's friendly assistance, he obtained a small army
of four- hundred men, to assert his claim to the crown of Norway. Moreover, he was allowed to recruit men on his own behalf. He thereupon drew a large number of followers from Sweden, and from the adjoining Islands. With these, he once more resolved to invade Norway, and with that object in view, he directed their march towards northern Jemptia. He led these forces through very difficult passes, towards the frontiers of Norway. Great was his joy, when he met his valiant brother Harald, at the head of six hundred Norwegians, all ready to do battle for his cause. Again, he was greatly cheered when Dagus, the son of Hring, King of Heidmarch, brought
through
territory. *
« See " Ileimskringla edr Noregs Ko- nunga Sogor," of Snoira Sturlusyni, tomus ii. , cap. cxcviii. , p. 325.
« According to some accounts a distin-
gushed man appeared to him in sleep, while Olaf himself . considered him to have been
Tryggon, formerly a King of Norway.
45 Theodric, the monk, states that Olaf
was admonished in his sleep to return to
Norway.
^ So it is called in the Lreviary ot Sles-
wick.
48 See Joannis Meursii "Historic Da-
niece," &c, lib. hi. , p. 54.
_
478 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
him twelve hundred men. 49 He succeeded in raising a force of about 3,000 warriors,alonghislineofmarchthroughSweden. Helabouredtoconvert and baptize those soldiers who had been pagans ; but, he found it a difficult matter to engage their rude convictions. A number of outlaws and those eager for plunder had joined the army of King Olaf. Among these marched two brothers, Gauka-Thorer and Afarfaste, vagabonds and robbers, who were at the head of thirty men. Olaf endeavoured to persuade them to
"
no faith but in ourselves, and with this faith we get along sufficiently well. "
become Christians ; whereupon the former said :
I and my comrades have
The " It is a king replied :
that such brave warriors as are you
great pity
should not believe in Christ. " He then offered them great dignities, if they
would be baptized ; but, if not, he desired them to leave the army. Afarfaste
" It
1
recruits, yet Olaf wished only to have Christian soldiers righting on his side. s Altogether, he had over three thousand men under his banners, but of these
also said he could not believe. Whereupon, Gauka-Thorer muttered :
is a great shame, that the king drives us thus from his army, for I never came before, where I was not heartily welcome, nor will I leave now. " They then fell into the rere of the army, but still they followed King Olaf's standard. 50 Notwithstanding his numerical inferiority, and his desire for
nine hundred were 2 To them Olaf fully pagans. ^
his wish that would be baptized. When they heard this desire, four hundred agreed to the proposition, 'but five hundred refused, and these returned to Sweden. Then Gauka-Thorer and Afarfaste presented themselves once more to the king. He asked, if they would receive baptism ? Then, in a consultation
together, Afarfaste said
go on into battle, and fight on one side or the other, nor do I care much which of the opposing armies I join. " To this Gauka-Thorer replied : ''If I go into battle, it will be on the king's side, and if I believe in a God, why not inthewhiteChrist,aswellasinanyother? Now,itismyadvice,thatwe bebaptized,sincethekinginsistsonit. " Thentheywerebaptizedbyapriest, andafterwardsconfirmedbythebishop. SopleasedwasKingOlafwiththeir conduct, that he took them into his bodyguard, and he directed them to fight beside his banner in the coming battle. 53
THE SAINT—HIS FESTIVALS—CONCLUSION
:
CHAPTER V.
RETURN OF KING OLAF TO NORWAY, AT THE HEAD OF AN ARMY—THE FATAL BATTLE AT STIKLESTAD—INCIDENTS OF THE ENGAGEMENT—INTERMENT OF THE KING AND SUBSEQUENT TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS—THE BUILDING OF I T1IEIM CATHEDRAL AND THE SHRINE OF ST. OLAF—VENERATION FOR ST. REMAINS AND MIRACLES WROUGHT THROUGH HIS INTERCESSION—MEMORIALS OF
.
Thoroughly convinced as he was, that a desire to extend the honour and glory of God, and to bring his subjects to a knowledge of the Christian Faith,
« See Olaus
tinm Septentiionalium," &c. , lib. viii. cap. xxxvii. ,p. 326.
5J See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, p. 665.
51 According to Theodric, the monk of Nidrosia.
s» See the
tomus vii. , Julii xxix. IV S. Marlyre,Nidrosi*inNorvegia. Commeu-
tarius Historicus, sect, ix. , pp. 105, 106.
e Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Live; of
the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, p. 666. Chapter v. — ' See Thofmod T
Magnus*
Bollaudists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
" Ilistoria de Gen-
signified
they
" To give you my opinion, I will not turn back, but
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 479
were the motives which chiefly actuated him, Olafnow led his army forward, to try the issue of that contest, in which he was about to engage. He entered Norway through the mountains rising eastwards from Dromtheim, and he gazed with great delight on the prospect then presented, from the'vantage ground he there occupied. Filled with contending emotions, the king was silent for a long time, to the great surprise of the bishop, who rode beside him. He had given orders to his troops, that they should not waste the husbandmen's corn on their march ; but, however well obeyed by those bands which were near him, the rereguard and the stragglers did not respect the property of
1
The Norwegian bonders had already mustered a large force, to oppose their king. This he learned, when he had reached the
2
frontier on Stafs Moor.
tian subjects, he now thought to invade Norway, where he sought to overcome those who proved false to their allegiance. He had distributed arms among
the country people, thinking they should be used to uphold his cause ; but, instead of that, few rallied to his standard, while the greater number refused toenlistonhisside,ortheyjoinedtheranksofhisenemies. Thisconduct so greatly enraged his chiefs, that they recommended Olaf to burn their houses and villages, according to the barbarous custom of that age and country. However, the king had other sentiments, and he remarked, that as they had professed themselves Christians, and had plighted their faith to God, only to violate it, by again relapsing into idolatry ; he declared, also, that their defection from an earthly king was a much lesser crime, however it mightbedetestable,intheestimationofhonestandofgeneroussouls. Ata village or farm called Sticklastad, said to have been only two miles 3 east- ward from Drontheim, the army of his enemies was drawn up in position to bar Olafs entrance to his former capital. Other authorities, however, place it at a much greater distance. Finn Arneson had been selected by the king, to marshal his forces and to lead them into battle. While King Olaf knew that a concentration of forces had taken place on both sides, and that a decisive engagement must now ensue, he left the issue to Divine Providence. He caused the cross to be painted on all the helmets of his soldiers, to signify, how under that sign, he willed them to conquer or to die. * He now redoubled
his prayers, his vigils, and his fastings ; for, he knew, that his enemies were greatly superior in number to the army he was leading against them. Indeed,
King Olaf seems to have had a presentiment, before engaging in the fight, that he should not survive it ; and, therefore, he set apart a large sum of money which was to be distributed, partly to obtain prayers for those who should fall in battle, so that the Almighty might be propitious to them, partly for the temples and clergy, and partly for the poor. s
The night before the battle, and while his army lay around him on the field, Olaf slept but little himself, for he spent the silent hours of the night in prayer to God.
Towards morning, slumber fell upon him ; yet, he awoke early, and while daylight was breaking over the pine-clad Norwegian moun-
farmers along their route.
" Historic Rerum Norvegicarum," pars iii. , lib. iii. , cap. iv. , p. 189.
the Great. Thus, according to the poet Prudentius :—
2
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, p. 665.
3 Torfceus has it, ''duobus in ortum a Nidarosia milliaribus situm. "—" Historia Rerum Norvegicarum," tomus i. , lib. ii. ,
cap. xix. , p. 85.
4 This idea and direction he adopted,
most probably, from the example of the first Christian and Roman Emperor Constantine
"
Finding himself betrayed by his professing Chris-
Clnistus purpureum gemmanti textus in auro
Signabat Labarumclipeorum insignia Chrislus
Scripserat ; ardebat summis crux ad- dita cristis. "
—
In
Symmachum,
lib. i. , \v.
484
to
4S6.
480 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 29.
tains thai rimmed the east. 6 As customary in those days, an Icelandic scald, named Thormod, followed the king's fortunes, with a desire to celebrate his actions and virtues in Norse song. To the profession of bard, he united that of vocalist. He was awake when Olaf arose; but, the latter did not chose to disturb his soldiers from their slumbers. However, he asked Thormod for a song. Then his scald began to sing the grand old battle song of the North, and known as the Biarkamal, in a loud voice, and with great spirit. Soon the familiar strains sounded on their ears, when all the warriors awoke and listened. To reward the scald, Olaf took off a gold ring and gave it to him. Then Thormod thanked him for the
:
and he said
good king; but, it is not safe to say, how long he shall live. It is my prayer, sire, that you should never part from me, either in life or in death. " The king answered: "We shall go together, so long as I rule, and you shall follow
:
me. " Thormod then replied " I hope, sire, that whether in safety, or in
danger, I may stand near you. "* Then, he entoned a song, in which he pro- mised fidelity to his king, and that he should be true unto death. The warriors around applauded the scald, and thanked him for the lays he sang.
The night before the king and his rebellious subjects met for that final
encounter, the Lord Jesus appeared to Olaf in a vision, and He spoke these
:
words "Approachtome,mybeloved,thatyoumaygainthesweetfruitof
all your labours, enjoying my presence through a glorious eternity. " At the same time, Olaf beheld a ladder, as it were reaching to the highest heaven, whereby he was destined to ascend to that kingdom of glory. This vision
afforded him great consolation, and he felt perfectly resigned for the issue of that combat awaiting him. 8 Before the battle had commenced, a pagan, named Arnliot Geillina, offered to fight for the king. He was a handsome andawell-armedman,butOlafaskedifhewereaChristian. ThenArnliot
:
answered " My faith has hitherto been to believe in my own power and
strength, and a very satisfactory faith I found it ; but, I am not indisposed, sire,tobelieveinyou. " ThensaidOlaf:"Ifyouputfaithinme,youmust also put faith in what I will teach you. You must believe that Jesus Christ has made heaven and earth and all mankind, and to him shall all those who are and
rightly believing go
gift,
after death. " Arnliot " I have replied :
good
indeed heard of the White Christ, but I neither know what he proposes, nor what he rules over ; but now, I will believe all thou desirest, and lay my lot inthyhands. " ThenthekinghastilytaughthimsomuchoftheFaithashe could, within the few minutes at his disposal, and Arnliot was baptized. Thereupon, the warrior took his place in the host. 9
The king afterwards ordered his soldiers into their positions, addressed
his army, and desired them to prepare for battle. Owing to want
of rest, Olaf felt fatigued, and having commanded a halt, he sat down, laying his head upon the marshal's knee. He then slept, but only for a short time. Soon the bonders came in sight, with their banners and flags floating in the breeze. While the king was sleeping, and before his enemies approached, the chief marshal of his army, named Phin or Finn, aroused him from sleep.
:
Then, drawing a sigh, Olaf said " O what have you done? Methought I
had ascended to the top of a ladder, which reached to the stars, and that heaven was about to open, so that I should enter it, had you not awakened
5 Somewhat differently runs the account as given by Theodric, the monk of Nidro- sia, in his Life of St. Olaf, cap. xix.
" Lives cf
Baring-Gould's
the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, p. 66S.
7 In the Fosthbnethra the of Saga, history
this Thormod and of his foster-brother is
given.
K See the Acta Brevia S. Olavi, published
by the Bollandists, cap. i. , num. io.
9 See Rev. S. " Lives of Baring-Gould's
the Saints," vol. vii. , July 26, pp. 670,
671.
,0 Adam of Baemen continues: 'Tost*
6 Sec Rev. S.
" We have a
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 481
me. "10 ThenFinnlookedverygrave,forhethoughtthedreamindicatedthe king's approaching death, even though it should lead to an immortal life of happiness. While the king's forces confronted those of his rebellious sub- jects, one Thorgill, who lived in that place, offered his services as a warrior. The pious monarch answered, however, that it should be better to reserve himself as a non-combatant, to aid the wounded during the fight, and to bury the dead after it. Moreover, Olaf besought him to take care of his own corpse should he fall in battle, and if Thorgill were allowed to do so by his enemies. This Thorgill solemnly promised.
One of the most remarkable incidents of this campaign was the circum-
stance, that brothers were opposed to brothers, as often happens in the case
of civil war. For a long time, the brother of Finn Arneson, named Kalf, had
served King Olaf; but, he had been seduced from his allegiance, owing to
the presents and promises of King Canute. Even at that moment, when the
opposing forces drew together, for the purpose of engaging in battle, the good
King Olaf desiring peace went out before his vanguard, and addressed him-
self to Kalf, who stood in the front line of his enemies' ranks. u Why art thou
"
there, O Kalf ?
J'
Have we not, when last we parted, saluted
said the king.
each other as friends ? Nor is it just, when four of your brothers fight on our side, that your arms should be directed against us. " Whereupon, Kalf
:
answered "Manythingsthatarewrong,nowhappen byyourlatedesertion
;
of us, we were compelled by necessity to be at peace with those who remained.
Therefore, let each one defend the ground that remains to him. Had I mine own wish to consult, I should be at peace with you. " Then said the king :
" O Possibly,
Kalf, you
wish for ; but, our citizens do not show them- peace
However, these efforts to procure a respite were
selves disposed for it. "
11
tried for one
vainly ; Sigurd,
a Danish 12 who was in the interests of Bishop,
Canute, spoke in a seditious manner. ^ Then, all hope of reconciliation was soon at an end.
When the onset was about to take place, a brave warrior, named Biorn, carried the king's standard. One Thorer Hund led the first column, on the side of the rebels, and he wore a coat of rein-deer skin over his coat of mail. On the side of Olaf, the army now only waited the signal to engage. His
1 rallying cry was, "Forward, soldiers of Christ, of the cross, and of the king. *
In the very first charge, the king's standard-bearer Biorn fell by the hand of Thorer Hund, who had aimed at the king. The latter exchanged blows with
him, wounding him in the hand, and striking him across the shoulders, but his coat of mail seems to have been impenetrable. ^ Then Olaf exclaimed
quam visionem vidit Rex circumventus a suis
Baggonibus, quorum maximus et prsecipuus
seleris auctor erat, ut fertur, quidam nomine
listen to any advice or terms offered by their
king.
" He is different from one so named, who
Calf bonde, occiditur et martyrio corona- fled with Olaf from Norway. Oth—er autho-
tur. " rities—such as Johannes Magnus
call this
11
Theodric the monk of Nidrosia some-
what differently relates this matter, by stat-
Bishop Trugill.
,3 See Torfeus' " Historia Rerum Norve-
ing, that when both armies were about to gicarum," tomus iii. , lib. iii. , cap. vii. , pp.
engage, the king sent Finn, brother to Kalf,
sothathe offertermsof onthe might peace,
basis of forgetting all past injuries, and of pardoning all former offences on both sides.
The
shed and to civil wars, while he desired to stay his hand, should reasonable counsels prevail. However, a contrary spirit seemed to pervade the rebel forces, nor would they
195 to 197.
'4 Hewasthe first to afor- inaugurate
inula, which afterwards had been adopted by the Crusaders, at the Council of Cler-
king
declared himself averse to blood-
in See Midland's " mont, 1096.
Biographie Universelle Ancienne et Moderne," tome
xxxi. , p. 221.
,s According to the Saga of Olafi Hinom
Helga, cap. ccxl. See
"
Heimskringla cur fn
482 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
to Biorn : "Do thou kill the dog, on whom steel doth not bite. " Then
Biorn turned round the battle-axe in his hands, and he gave Thorer a blow
with the hammer-end, and on the shoulder. It was so hard, that Thorer
tottered, but immediately recovering, he drove his spear right through the
stone, throwing down his sword, and praying God to help him. Instantly,
J
Finn Arneson killed Thorstein. 7 While the king lay bleeding and faint,
Thorer Hund aimed a stroke at him with his spear, which lodged below his coat of mail and entered the belly. One of the chief leaders of the peasant
and he now
approached, Having been mortally wounded, and Olaf's sword having fallen from his hand, he was slain in that
battle, by one of the enemy's chiefs, as generally related. It is said, that Thorer Hund afterwards then went to where the king's dead body lay, and then stretch- ing it out on the ground, he spread a cloak over it. He afterwards declared, that when he wiped away blood from the king's face, it looked beautiful and serene even in death. There was red on the cheeks, as if the holy man were
body
Biorn, exclaiming :
18 was Kalf
dealing a death-blow on the left side of the neck.
army,
at the battle of
Stiklestad,
Arneson,
" Thus I kill bears. " 16 The manifested his king
of
usual valour in this engagement, and in the front ranks of his men, Olaf wielded a two-handed sword. He cut one Thorgeir of Quiststad across the face, and slashed off the nose-piece of his helmet, cleaving his head down below the eyes, so that they fell out. —In the beginning of this fight, the king received a stroke from a battle-axe which the Norwegians were*accus- tomed to wield—and this was dealt him in the left thigh above the knee, by one Thorstein, a bonder. After this wound, the king staggered towards a
1 ? When one of the
the king and his standard-bearer had fallen, he boldly raised the banner once more, and shouted to the army, to avenge their monarch's death, and to leave no bloodless victory to their adversaries. Whereupon, fired with his enthu- siasm, the soldiers levelled their arms, and forming a close body, they charged twice or thrice through the thickest ranks, mowing down many of their enemies.
The Icelandic scald, Thormod, was placed under King Olafs banner in that encounter. When the king had fallen, the battle was raging, so that all the king'smenwereeitherkilledorwounded. Thormodwasseverelywounded, andhefellback,whenthesurvivorsretreated. Then,therere-guard,headed by Dagr, rushed forward over the ground, strewn with dead, and endeavoured by their desperate courage to retrieve the fortunes of the day. Thormod stepped aside weary and faint. As he stood thus, an arrow struck him in the left side, but he broke off the shaft of that arrow. lie then went out of the ranks, and up towards the firm of Sticklastad, where the wounded were being attended to in a large barn. Thormod held a drawn sword in his hand. As
: hewentthither,hemetaman,namedKimbe,comingout,whosaid "The
wounded in there howl and scream with pain, and bear their wounds very
" Wert thou in the battle too ? " " I was with the
only sleeping.
leaders, Dagr,
a kinsman to saw that Olaf,
ill. " Thormod then said
bonders, which was the best side," said he. u And art thou wounded any way ? "
16
It appears, that Biorn signifies "a land, and Ireland. " The Norwegians in
bear," in the Norse language.
17 See Thormod Torfaeus' " Historke Re-
Scotland, sect, v. , p. 222.
*» See the Saga of" Olaf] Hinom Ilelga,
rum Norvegicarum," Pars Tertia, lib. iii. , cap. viii. , p. 199.
cap. ccxlii. , in "
Ileimskringla
edr Noregs
" See A. Worsaae's "Account of the J. J.
Konunga-Sogor," tomus ii. . p. 371.
:
said Thormod, "A little/' answered the man, who asked, "And hast thou been
" I was with them who had the best cause. " Noregs Konunga-Sogor," tomus ii. , p. 368. Danes and Norwegians in England, Scot-
in the battle ? " Thormod
"Art thou wounded? '' asked the man. "Not much to signify," replied
replied,
-° Then the woman
"
Why do you
said,
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 483 Thormod. As the man saw that Thormod had a heavy gold ring on his
arm—it was that him in the given
St. Olaf—he " Thou art said,
morning by
certainly a king's man. Give me thy gold ring, and I will hide thee. The
bonders will kill thee, if thou fallest in their way. " Thormod answered,
" Take the ring, if thou canst get it. I have lost what is more dear to me
than a ring. " Kimbe stretched out his hand, and wanted to take the ring ;
bul,swinginghissword,Thormodcutoffhishand. Then,Kimbescreamed
and howled as badly as any whom he had been blaming. He then went off,
when Thormod sat down in the barn, and listened to what people were saying.
The conversation turned on what each had seen in the battle. While some
praised King Olaf, others spoke against him. Thormod went out, and
entered into a chamber apart.
that Canute left Norway, with a few volunteers he went on board ; but, to his demand for troops and provisions, little heed was taken by his former lieges. When chased from Norway, Olaf sailed for Denmark, where he spread terror among the islands of that kingdom. Then Olaus made an effort to raise troops in another part of the kingdom ; but, he was not successful in that attempt. Towards the end of 1028, Olaf took shipping for Lindisnesia, but as his vessels steered towards the north, the winds became adverse. This juncture was observed by his enemy, Erling, who, bringing together a large number of ships, followed the king's movements, but with a haste fatal to himself. For the south winds soon prevailed, and with them Olaf seemed to be escaping from his pursuit. Then anxious to engage, Erling took advan- tage of the speed of that vessel, which bore his flag, and separating at a con- siderable distance from the other vessels, he came up with Olaf at the promon- tory near Bukke Fiords A desperate sea-fight then ensued. As none of the other ships came to his aid, Erling resolved to sell his life dearly as possible, and he fought with all the energy of despair. When his mariners and warriors fell around him almost to the last man, the flag-ship was captured, and he was taken alive. Still Olaf wished to spare his captive, but one Aslac would not hear of it, and with a stroke of his battle-axe, he clove open the head of the perfidious Erling. When the other vessels closed upon Olaf's fleet, although their ships were more numerous, yet they declined an engagement, and busied themselves with the interment of their admiral and of hisslaincompanions. Freedfromthatdanger,thefurtherhesailednorth- wards, the more did calamities impend ; for while the sons of Erling had prepared a force to follow in his wake, the fleet of Hacon, with great numbers on board, was now sailing out to meet him from another quarter. Moreover, Olaf found several of his followers then disposed to desert him, and to join the more powerful party. No other course remained to save his Jife, with the lives of his soldiers and mariners, than to leave his vessels, and to fly towards themountains. HisjourneytoLesiaandGudbrandDalewasfullofperil, while the Icelandic accounts have it, that many miracles were wrought on the way. Four hundred of a hosting that accompanied him and one hundred agriculturists were relieved with food, when famine threatened them, through the prayers of St. Olaf. Again, large rocks are said to have opened a passage forthefugitives,whenhishandhadbeenappliedtoremovethem. More- over, when the king had washed his hands in a certain fountain, that issued from a cave, in after time, the waters were in request to cure cattle that became distempered. 38 The place was afterwards denominated St. Olaf's cave.
From Gudbrand Dale, taking his wife Astride, their daughter Ulfhilde, and his son Magnus, with Bishop Sigurd, Olaf next passed through Heidmarch, Vermia, and Nericia, amid the rigours of a Norwegian winter ; and, in the spring of 1029, he reached Amund, the King of Sweden, who gave them hospitality and protection, in their great distress.
However, not deeming himself safe in Sweden, Olave was obliged to fly for refuge during the summer of 1029 into Russia, where the grand Duke Jaroslaw 39 ruled. The latter had married the more nobly born sister of Olaf's wife, and he honourably and hospitably received the fugitive king. Having left Astride and his daughter Ulfhilde in Sweden, and to the care of its
3? This is an extensive indentation off the south- west coast of Norway, running between the islands of Ilvidding and Rennis, and
"
gicarum," tomus Hi. , lib. hi. , cap. i. , pp. 176 to 182.
39 In the short Acts of our saint, published those of Karmoe and Bukken. See Ga- b—y the Bollandists, he is styled Jarzellanus zetteer of the World," vol. iii. , p. 117. evidently a copyist's mistake for Jaris-
38 See Torfeus' " Historic Rerum Norve- lavus.
476 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 29.
monarch, Olaf brought his son Magnus into Russia. * Residing in Russia, Olafin no way neglected his religious and moral obligations; while with the
people he became most popular. He even wrought several miracles, and they regarded him as a saint. A widow lady of some distinction had a son, whose throat was affected by an ulcer, so that when trying to speak or even to breathe, he had violent contortions. At the request oflngigerd, the queen, Olaf applied his hands to the boy, until his throat was healed, and then taking some bread in the hollow of his hand, it was formed into a cross and given to the child. When he had swallowed it, all pain departed, and the boy was perfectly cured, in the course of a few days. As serving to illustrate the extreme reverence he had for the Sunday, the Sagas relate, that while on such a day Olaf sat on his royal seat, he fell into a profound reverie, and he did not think on theaction, which then engaged him, but in a sort of mechanical manner. Heheldapieceoffirwoodinhishand,andfromtimetotime,he cut splinters from it with a knife. Then the chief waiter cautiously remarked, that it should be Monday on the day following. This reminded the king,
that he was violating the Lord's Day. Whereupon, collecting all the shavings he had made, and placing them on the extended palm of his hand, he set fire tothemwithacandle,andthereheallowedthemtoburnintoashes. Thus, did he bear such torture with astonishing fortitude, as a punishment for his
because he had one of God's Commandments. *1 neglected
negligence,
Nor had Olaf remained long in Russia, when news reached him in theautumn
of 1029, that returning with his wife from England, Hacon had perished at sea. 42 It seems most likely, this accident became known in Norway, long before the account of it reached England. 4^ One Biorn, a merchant, who had given in his submission to Hacon, when King Olaf fled, having heard what occurred, now believed that his allegiance returned to the exiled monarch, and that he was absolved from his Oath of fidelity, apparently given with great reluctance. He at once hastened to Russia, towards the close of that year, and having sought Olaf, he endeavoured to argue, that Providence hadthusthrowninhiswayagoodopportunityforrecoveringNorway. By some writers, it is stated, that many of the Norwegian chiefs had sent emissa- ries, to urge upon Olaf a like course of action. This news differently affected Olaf and the companions of his exile ; for, while the latter desired to return, and to recover their lost properties and positions in Norway, Olaf preferred a quiet life in Russia, where he might solely devote himself to heavenly con- templation, and to a complete union with God. The more experience of the world he had, the more he disliked its cares ; while above all things, he detested the bloodshed of wars, the tumult of camps, and the pomp of courts. According to some accounts, while Olaf was in Russia, he had seriousthoughtsofembracingareligiouslife. Foratime,andwhilereverses overtook him, Olaf had formed the project of going to Jerusalem, where he intendedtoseekretirementinamonastery; but,hewasunabletofulfillthis purpose, and circumstances soon changed it into another resolution. Biorn and the king's Norwegian partisans urged him to return, and to vindicate his rights, at that favourable time ; nor did they neglect to move him, by stating, that he could restore the practices of Christianity through his apostolic zeal ;
40 See Heimskringla edr Noregs Konunga- Sogor," of Snorra Sturlusyni, lomus ii. , cap. exci. , p. 315.
41 See Saxo Gramniaticus " Historian Da- niece," lib. x. , when treating about the reign of Canute the Great.
rium nusquam comparentium, nuntio. "—
"
IlistoriaRerum Norvegicarum,"tomusiii. , lib. iii. , cap. ii. , pp. 182, 183.
that Ilacun was killed in the Orkney Islands. See William Stubbs' "Chronica Magistri Rogeri de
Uoucdene," vol. i. , p. 88.
*' "
Torfseus adds
:
mullo, prater deside-
43 Other accounts have
it,
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 477
however, Jarislav and Ingigerd took opposite views, and counselled him to live with them a quiet life in Russia, where a field was open for his religious
action. Jarislav offered Bulgaria, likewise, to Olaf, proposing also that he should convert it to Christianity. ** Being very anxious, to consult the will of God in the matter, and to abide by it alone, Olaf had recourse to prayer. While asleep, he had a vision,''5 in which it seemed to him,*6 a Divine inspi- ration 47 was given, that he should leave for Norway. In vain did Jarislav or Ingigerd try their blandishments and arguments, to dissuade" him from this purpose, for his resolution was now firmly taken. Placing his whole trust in God, and still deeming it a duty to repress the idolaters in Norway, he resolved to renew the war. Wherefore, leaving Magnus to the care of Jarislav
and of his aunt Ingigerd, Olaf began to make the necessary preparations for
his own departure.
He felt persuaded, that it was the will of heaven, he should return to his
native country. His first object was to gain the approval of Amund, King of Sweden, and this monarch approved of his project, to make his expedition
the Swedish
for back Norway
8 In the month of
January, he parted for Sweden. He was accompanied by Bishop Sigurd, and by a band, consisting of about two hundred attendants. The seat of royalty was then at Holmgard. In the spring of 1030, he reached Arosia. Not only was he
joyfully received by his wife and daughter, but also by the King of Sweden, who manifested his friendly feelings and hospitality. The report of his leaving Russia to invade Norway soon spread, and Olaf remained in Sweden longer than was politic, for it gave his numerous disaffected, subjects time and oppor- tunity to organize a force in opposition to him. We learn from Adam of
Bremen, that the Magi of Norway were chiefly instrumental in effecting his overthrow, as it was against them his hostility had been mainly directed. When it became known in Sweden, that the people of Norway were so hostile to their exiled king ; several followers abandoned his fortunes, while many of his counsellors advised him to relinquish his expedition altogether, or at least, to seek a more favourable opportunity for its issue. Notwithstanding, Olaf was resolved to try his fortune once more, and he began to assemble a force to meet his rebellious subjects. His firm belief was, that the idolaters there should either become Christian or be banished from the country altogether. However, it did not happen that his efforts had been crowned with success ;
although his valour was undoubtedly displayed in action, while his love of
justice was recognised even by his enemies. .
With the King of Sweden's friendly assistance, he obtained a small army
of four- hundred men, to assert his claim to the crown of Norway. Moreover, he was allowed to recruit men on his own behalf. He thereupon drew a large number of followers from Sweden, and from the adjoining Islands. With these, he once more resolved to invade Norway, and with that object in view, he directed their march towards northern Jemptia. He led these forces through very difficult passes, towards the frontiers of Norway. Great was his joy, when he met his valiant brother Harald, at the head of six hundred Norwegians, all ready to do battle for his cause. Again, he was greatly cheered when Dagus, the son of Hring, King of Heidmarch, brought
through
territory. *
« See " Ileimskringla edr Noregs Ko- nunga Sogor," of Snoira Sturlusyni, tomus ii. , cap. cxcviii. , p. 325.
« According to some accounts a distin-
gushed man appeared to him in sleep, while Olaf himself . considered him to have been
Tryggon, formerly a King of Norway.
45 Theodric, the monk, states that Olaf
was admonished in his sleep to return to
Norway.
^ So it is called in the Lreviary ot Sles-
wick.
48 See Joannis Meursii "Historic Da-
niece," &c, lib. hi. , p. 54.
_
478 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
him twelve hundred men. 49 He succeeded in raising a force of about 3,000 warriors,alonghislineofmarchthroughSweden. Helabouredtoconvert and baptize those soldiers who had been pagans ; but, he found it a difficult matter to engage their rude convictions. A number of outlaws and those eager for plunder had joined the army of King Olaf. Among these marched two brothers, Gauka-Thorer and Afarfaste, vagabonds and robbers, who were at the head of thirty men. Olaf endeavoured to persuade them to
"
no faith but in ourselves, and with this faith we get along sufficiently well. "
become Christians ; whereupon the former said :
I and my comrades have
The " It is a king replied :
that such brave warriors as are you
great pity
should not believe in Christ. " He then offered them great dignities, if they
would be baptized ; but, if not, he desired them to leave the army. Afarfaste
" It
1
recruits, yet Olaf wished only to have Christian soldiers righting on his side. s Altogether, he had over three thousand men under his banners, but of these
also said he could not believe. Whereupon, Gauka-Thorer muttered :
is a great shame, that the king drives us thus from his army, for I never came before, where I was not heartily welcome, nor will I leave now. " They then fell into the rere of the army, but still they followed King Olaf's standard. 50 Notwithstanding his numerical inferiority, and his desire for
nine hundred were 2 To them Olaf fully pagans. ^
his wish that would be baptized. When they heard this desire, four hundred agreed to the proposition, 'but five hundred refused, and these returned to Sweden. Then Gauka-Thorer and Afarfaste presented themselves once more to the king. He asked, if they would receive baptism ? Then, in a consultation
together, Afarfaste said
go on into battle, and fight on one side or the other, nor do I care much which of the opposing armies I join. " To this Gauka-Thorer replied : ''If I go into battle, it will be on the king's side, and if I believe in a God, why not inthewhiteChrist,aswellasinanyother? Now,itismyadvice,thatwe bebaptized,sincethekinginsistsonit. " Thentheywerebaptizedbyapriest, andafterwardsconfirmedbythebishop. SopleasedwasKingOlafwiththeir conduct, that he took them into his bodyguard, and he directed them to fight beside his banner in the coming battle. 53
THE SAINT—HIS FESTIVALS—CONCLUSION
:
CHAPTER V.
RETURN OF KING OLAF TO NORWAY, AT THE HEAD OF AN ARMY—THE FATAL BATTLE AT STIKLESTAD—INCIDENTS OF THE ENGAGEMENT—INTERMENT OF THE KING AND SUBSEQUENT TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS—THE BUILDING OF I T1IEIM CATHEDRAL AND THE SHRINE OF ST. OLAF—VENERATION FOR ST. REMAINS AND MIRACLES WROUGHT THROUGH HIS INTERCESSION—MEMORIALS OF
.
Thoroughly convinced as he was, that a desire to extend the honour and glory of God, and to bring his subjects to a knowledge of the Christian Faith,
« See Olaus
tinm Septentiionalium," &c. , lib. viii. cap. xxxvii. ,p. 326.
5J See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, p. 665.
51 According to Theodric, the monk of Nidrosia.
s» See the
tomus vii. , Julii xxix. IV S. Marlyre,Nidrosi*inNorvegia. Commeu-
tarius Historicus, sect, ix. , pp. 105, 106.
e Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Live; of
the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, p. 666. Chapter v. — ' See Thofmod T
Magnus*
Bollaudists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
" Ilistoria de Gen-
signified
they
" To give you my opinion, I will not turn back, but
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 479
were the motives which chiefly actuated him, Olafnow led his army forward, to try the issue of that contest, in which he was about to engage. He entered Norway through the mountains rising eastwards from Dromtheim, and he gazed with great delight on the prospect then presented, from the'vantage ground he there occupied. Filled with contending emotions, the king was silent for a long time, to the great surprise of the bishop, who rode beside him. He had given orders to his troops, that they should not waste the husbandmen's corn on their march ; but, however well obeyed by those bands which were near him, the rereguard and the stragglers did not respect the property of
1
The Norwegian bonders had already mustered a large force, to oppose their king. This he learned, when he had reached the
2
frontier on Stafs Moor.
tian subjects, he now thought to invade Norway, where he sought to overcome those who proved false to their allegiance. He had distributed arms among
the country people, thinking they should be used to uphold his cause ; but, instead of that, few rallied to his standard, while the greater number refused toenlistonhisside,ortheyjoinedtheranksofhisenemies. Thisconduct so greatly enraged his chiefs, that they recommended Olaf to burn their houses and villages, according to the barbarous custom of that age and country. However, the king had other sentiments, and he remarked, that as they had professed themselves Christians, and had plighted their faith to God, only to violate it, by again relapsing into idolatry ; he declared, also, that their defection from an earthly king was a much lesser crime, however it mightbedetestable,intheestimationofhonestandofgeneroussouls. Ata village or farm called Sticklastad, said to have been only two miles 3 east- ward from Drontheim, the army of his enemies was drawn up in position to bar Olafs entrance to his former capital. Other authorities, however, place it at a much greater distance. Finn Arneson had been selected by the king, to marshal his forces and to lead them into battle. While King Olaf knew that a concentration of forces had taken place on both sides, and that a decisive engagement must now ensue, he left the issue to Divine Providence. He caused the cross to be painted on all the helmets of his soldiers, to signify, how under that sign, he willed them to conquer or to die. * He now redoubled
his prayers, his vigils, and his fastings ; for, he knew, that his enemies were greatly superior in number to the army he was leading against them. Indeed,
King Olaf seems to have had a presentiment, before engaging in the fight, that he should not survive it ; and, therefore, he set apart a large sum of money which was to be distributed, partly to obtain prayers for those who should fall in battle, so that the Almighty might be propitious to them, partly for the temples and clergy, and partly for the poor. s
The night before the battle, and while his army lay around him on the field, Olaf slept but little himself, for he spent the silent hours of the night in prayer to God.
Towards morning, slumber fell upon him ; yet, he awoke early, and while daylight was breaking over the pine-clad Norwegian moun-
farmers along their route.
" Historic Rerum Norvegicarum," pars iii. , lib. iii. , cap. iv. , p. 189.
the Great. Thus, according to the poet Prudentius :—
2
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, p. 665.
3 Torfceus has it, ''duobus in ortum a Nidarosia milliaribus situm. "—" Historia Rerum Norvegicarum," tomus i. , lib. ii. ,
cap. xix. , p. 85.
4 This idea and direction he adopted,
most probably, from the example of the first Christian and Roman Emperor Constantine
"
Finding himself betrayed by his professing Chris-
Clnistus purpureum gemmanti textus in auro
Signabat Labarumclipeorum insignia Chrislus
Scripserat ; ardebat summis crux ad- dita cristis. "
—
In
Symmachum,
lib. i. , \v.
484
to
4S6.
480 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 29.
tains thai rimmed the east. 6 As customary in those days, an Icelandic scald, named Thormod, followed the king's fortunes, with a desire to celebrate his actions and virtues in Norse song. To the profession of bard, he united that of vocalist. He was awake when Olaf arose; but, the latter did not chose to disturb his soldiers from their slumbers. However, he asked Thormod for a song. Then his scald began to sing the grand old battle song of the North, and known as the Biarkamal, in a loud voice, and with great spirit. Soon the familiar strains sounded on their ears, when all the warriors awoke and listened. To reward the scald, Olaf took off a gold ring and gave it to him. Then Thormod thanked him for the
:
and he said
good king; but, it is not safe to say, how long he shall live. It is my prayer, sire, that you should never part from me, either in life or in death. " The king answered: "We shall go together, so long as I rule, and you shall follow
:
me. " Thormod then replied " I hope, sire, that whether in safety, or in
danger, I may stand near you. "* Then, he entoned a song, in which he pro- mised fidelity to his king, and that he should be true unto death. The warriors around applauded the scald, and thanked him for the lays he sang.
The night before the king and his rebellious subjects met for that final
encounter, the Lord Jesus appeared to Olaf in a vision, and He spoke these
:
words "Approachtome,mybeloved,thatyoumaygainthesweetfruitof
all your labours, enjoying my presence through a glorious eternity. " At the same time, Olaf beheld a ladder, as it were reaching to the highest heaven, whereby he was destined to ascend to that kingdom of glory. This vision
afforded him great consolation, and he felt perfectly resigned for the issue of that combat awaiting him. 8 Before the battle had commenced, a pagan, named Arnliot Geillina, offered to fight for the king. He was a handsome andawell-armedman,butOlafaskedifhewereaChristian. ThenArnliot
:
answered " My faith has hitherto been to believe in my own power and
strength, and a very satisfactory faith I found it ; but, I am not indisposed, sire,tobelieveinyou. " ThensaidOlaf:"Ifyouputfaithinme,youmust also put faith in what I will teach you. You must believe that Jesus Christ has made heaven and earth and all mankind, and to him shall all those who are and
rightly believing go
gift,
after death. " Arnliot " I have replied :
good
indeed heard of the White Christ, but I neither know what he proposes, nor what he rules over ; but now, I will believe all thou desirest, and lay my lot inthyhands. " ThenthekinghastilytaughthimsomuchoftheFaithashe could, within the few minutes at his disposal, and Arnliot was baptized. Thereupon, the warrior took his place in the host. 9
The king afterwards ordered his soldiers into their positions, addressed
his army, and desired them to prepare for battle. Owing to want
of rest, Olaf felt fatigued, and having commanded a halt, he sat down, laying his head upon the marshal's knee. He then slept, but only for a short time. Soon the bonders came in sight, with their banners and flags floating in the breeze. While the king was sleeping, and before his enemies approached, the chief marshal of his army, named Phin or Finn, aroused him from sleep.
:
Then, drawing a sigh, Olaf said " O what have you done? Methought I
had ascended to the top of a ladder, which reached to the stars, and that heaven was about to open, so that I should enter it, had you not awakened
5 Somewhat differently runs the account as given by Theodric, the monk of Nidro- sia, in his Life of St. Olaf, cap. xix.
" Lives cf
Baring-Gould's
the Saints," vol. vii. , July 29, p. 66S.
7 In the Fosthbnethra the of Saga, history
this Thormod and of his foster-brother is
given.
K See the Acta Brevia S. Olavi, published
by the Bollandists, cap. i. , num. io.
9 See Rev. S. " Lives of Baring-Gould's
the Saints," vol. vii. , July 26, pp. 670,
671.
,0 Adam of Baemen continues: 'Tost*
6 Sec Rev. S.
" We have a
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 481
me. "10 ThenFinnlookedverygrave,forhethoughtthedreamindicatedthe king's approaching death, even though it should lead to an immortal life of happiness. While the king's forces confronted those of his rebellious sub- jects, one Thorgill, who lived in that place, offered his services as a warrior. The pious monarch answered, however, that it should be better to reserve himself as a non-combatant, to aid the wounded during the fight, and to bury the dead after it. Moreover, Olaf besought him to take care of his own corpse should he fall in battle, and if Thorgill were allowed to do so by his enemies. This Thorgill solemnly promised.
One of the most remarkable incidents of this campaign was the circum-
stance, that brothers were opposed to brothers, as often happens in the case
of civil war. For a long time, the brother of Finn Arneson, named Kalf, had
served King Olaf; but, he had been seduced from his allegiance, owing to
the presents and promises of King Canute. Even at that moment, when the
opposing forces drew together, for the purpose of engaging in battle, the good
King Olaf desiring peace went out before his vanguard, and addressed him-
self to Kalf, who stood in the front line of his enemies' ranks. u Why art thou
"
there, O Kalf ?
J'
Have we not, when last we parted, saluted
said the king.
each other as friends ? Nor is it just, when four of your brothers fight on our side, that your arms should be directed against us. " Whereupon, Kalf
:
answered "Manythingsthatarewrong,nowhappen byyourlatedesertion
;
of us, we were compelled by necessity to be at peace with those who remained.
Therefore, let each one defend the ground that remains to him. Had I mine own wish to consult, I should be at peace with you. " Then said the king :
" O Possibly,
Kalf, you
wish for ; but, our citizens do not show them- peace
However, these efforts to procure a respite were
selves disposed for it. "
11
tried for one
vainly ; Sigurd,
a Danish 12 who was in the interests of Bishop,
Canute, spoke in a seditious manner. ^ Then, all hope of reconciliation was soon at an end.
When the onset was about to take place, a brave warrior, named Biorn, carried the king's standard. One Thorer Hund led the first column, on the side of the rebels, and he wore a coat of rein-deer skin over his coat of mail. On the side of Olaf, the army now only waited the signal to engage. His
1 rallying cry was, "Forward, soldiers of Christ, of the cross, and of the king. *
In the very first charge, the king's standard-bearer Biorn fell by the hand of Thorer Hund, who had aimed at the king. The latter exchanged blows with
him, wounding him in the hand, and striking him across the shoulders, but his coat of mail seems to have been impenetrable. ^ Then Olaf exclaimed
quam visionem vidit Rex circumventus a suis
Baggonibus, quorum maximus et prsecipuus
seleris auctor erat, ut fertur, quidam nomine
listen to any advice or terms offered by their
king.
" He is different from one so named, who
Calf bonde, occiditur et martyrio corona- fled with Olaf from Norway. Oth—er autho-
tur. " rities—such as Johannes Magnus
call this
11
Theodric the monk of Nidrosia some-
what differently relates this matter, by stat-
Bishop Trugill.
,3 See Torfeus' " Historia Rerum Norve-
ing, that when both armies were about to gicarum," tomus iii. , lib. iii. , cap. vii. , pp.
engage, the king sent Finn, brother to Kalf,
sothathe offertermsof onthe might peace,
basis of forgetting all past injuries, and of pardoning all former offences on both sides.
The
shed and to civil wars, while he desired to stay his hand, should reasonable counsels prevail. However, a contrary spirit seemed to pervade the rebel forces, nor would they
195 to 197.
'4 Hewasthe first to afor- inaugurate
inula, which afterwards had been adopted by the Crusaders, at the Council of Cler-
king
declared himself averse to blood-
in See Midland's " mont, 1096.
Biographie Universelle Ancienne et Moderne," tome
xxxi. , p. 221.
,s According to the Saga of Olafi Hinom
Helga, cap. ccxl. See
"
Heimskringla cur fn
482 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
to Biorn : "Do thou kill the dog, on whom steel doth not bite. " Then
Biorn turned round the battle-axe in his hands, and he gave Thorer a blow
with the hammer-end, and on the shoulder. It was so hard, that Thorer
tottered, but immediately recovering, he drove his spear right through the
stone, throwing down his sword, and praying God to help him. Instantly,
J
Finn Arneson killed Thorstein. 7 While the king lay bleeding and faint,
Thorer Hund aimed a stroke at him with his spear, which lodged below his coat of mail and entered the belly. One of the chief leaders of the peasant
and he now
approached, Having been mortally wounded, and Olaf's sword having fallen from his hand, he was slain in that
battle, by one of the enemy's chiefs, as generally related. It is said, that Thorer Hund afterwards then went to where the king's dead body lay, and then stretch- ing it out on the ground, he spread a cloak over it. He afterwards declared, that when he wiped away blood from the king's face, it looked beautiful and serene even in death. There was red on the cheeks, as if the holy man were
body
Biorn, exclaiming :
18 was Kalf
dealing a death-blow on the left side of the neck.
army,
at the battle of
Stiklestad,
Arneson,
" Thus I kill bears. " 16 The manifested his king
of
usual valour in this engagement, and in the front ranks of his men, Olaf wielded a two-handed sword. He cut one Thorgeir of Quiststad across the face, and slashed off the nose-piece of his helmet, cleaving his head down below the eyes, so that they fell out. —In the beginning of this fight, the king received a stroke from a battle-axe which the Norwegians were*accus- tomed to wield—and this was dealt him in the left thigh above the knee, by one Thorstein, a bonder. After this wound, the king staggered towards a
1 ? When one of the
the king and his standard-bearer had fallen, he boldly raised the banner once more, and shouted to the army, to avenge their monarch's death, and to leave no bloodless victory to their adversaries. Whereupon, fired with his enthu- siasm, the soldiers levelled their arms, and forming a close body, they charged twice or thrice through the thickest ranks, mowing down many of their enemies.
The Icelandic scald, Thormod, was placed under King Olafs banner in that encounter. When the king had fallen, the battle was raging, so that all the king'smenwereeitherkilledorwounded. Thormodwasseverelywounded, andhefellback,whenthesurvivorsretreated. Then,therere-guard,headed by Dagr, rushed forward over the ground, strewn with dead, and endeavoured by their desperate courage to retrieve the fortunes of the day. Thormod stepped aside weary and faint. As he stood thus, an arrow struck him in the left side, but he broke off the shaft of that arrow. lie then went out of the ranks, and up towards the firm of Sticklastad, where the wounded were being attended to in a large barn. Thormod held a drawn sword in his hand. As
: hewentthither,hemetaman,namedKimbe,comingout,whosaid "The
wounded in there howl and scream with pain, and bear their wounds very
" Wert thou in the battle too ? " " I was with the
only sleeping.
leaders, Dagr,
a kinsman to saw that Olaf,
ill. " Thormod then said
bonders, which was the best side," said he. u And art thou wounded any way ? "
16
It appears, that Biorn signifies "a land, and Ireland. " The Norwegians in
bear," in the Norse language.
17 See Thormod Torfaeus' " Historke Re-
Scotland, sect, v. , p. 222.
*» See the Saga of" Olaf] Hinom Ilelga,
rum Norvegicarum," Pars Tertia, lib. iii. , cap. viii. , p. 199.
cap. ccxlii. , in "
Ileimskringla
edr Noregs
" See A. Worsaae's "Account of the J. J.
Konunga-Sogor," tomus ii. . p. 371.
:
said Thormod, "A little/' answered the man, who asked, "And hast thou been
" I was with them who had the best cause. " Noregs Konunga-Sogor," tomus ii. , p. 368. Danes and Norwegians in England, Scot-
in the battle ? " Thormod
"Art thou wounded? '' asked the man. "Not much to signify," replied
replied,
-° Then the woman
"
Why do you
said,
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 483 Thormod. As the man saw that Thormod had a heavy gold ring on his
arm—it was that him in the given
St. Olaf—he " Thou art said,
morning by
certainly a king's man. Give me thy gold ring, and I will hide thee. The
bonders will kill thee, if thou fallest in their way. " Thormod answered,
" Take the ring, if thou canst get it. I have lost what is more dear to me
than a ring. " Kimbe stretched out his hand, and wanted to take the ring ;
bul,swinginghissword,Thormodcutoffhishand. Then,Kimbescreamed
and howled as badly as any whom he had been blaming. He then went off,
when Thormod sat down in the barn, and listened to what people were saying.
The conversation turned on what each had seen in the battle. While some
praised King Olaf, others spoke against him. Thormod went out, and
entered into a chamber apart.
