All his family and many of the nobles
followed
his example.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
This renowned and saint is recorded king
Snorro x s and Sturleson,
by
by Einar Skulason,16 as also in the Fornmanna-Sogur,^ by Munch,18 and by
x 9as also in Ersch's andGruber's
20 The of "Saga King
Maurer,
poet Longfellow. extant, likewise,
22
Olaf Tryggvason," taken from the Heimskringla, is found versified by the Ameri-
can 21 Thereis the"PassioetMiraculaBeati
at the
Challenor,
Baring-Gould.
of St. Olavus, King and Martyr, so far as they can be evolved from the northern histories and chronicles, while these accounts have been elaborately compiled and edited, by Father Peter Bosch. 29 They comprise a historic commentary in eleven sections, consisting of one hundred and twenty-seven paragraphs, and preceding short Acts,s° by some anonymous writer. These
29th day
2 s Rev.
July, Alban
hagiographical
Cressy, Bishop
and Rev. S.
HelmsUedt, 1762, 4k). 13 "
w See "Dublin Review," Third Series,
No. xii. , April, 1884, Art. iii. , pp. 307to 316.
'3 Published at Oxford, in 1881,
8*See " of under Church-History England
Saxon and Danish Monarchs," part iv. , book xxxiv. , chap, ix. , pp. 942, 943.
*s See "A Memorial of British Piety," p. no.
2<5 See"Livesofthe and Fathers, Martyrs
other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July xxix.
of
In Historia Danica,"lib. x.
MIn"HistoriaGothorum lib. ii.
1
26 Les The Bollandists have
Petits inserted,
2 ? at this same
28
This esteemed work has passed through
various editions. That published by John
Mader at Helstaedt, in 1670, 4to, is held to be the best.
n The Bollandist Boschius remarks of it, vetusto tamen inscripta codici, quern ab insula, ubi dilituit, Occidentalis Islandiaj,
F'lateyensem appellant. "
'- He was born probably in one of the
Danish Islands, and of a noble family; his
father and grandfather serving in the army
ofWaldemarI. Heenteredintoholyorders,
and a of his life in a Swe- passed great part
dish monastery. He died after A. D. 1203.
See Reimer, "De VitaSaxonis Grammatici. "
the Acts
tomes i. ,ii. Copenhagen, 1829. Itwas trans- lated into Latin there, and published, A. D.
1833.
Ib In " Det Norke Folks-Historie. "
** In " Die Bekehrung des Norwegis« chen Stammes. "
2°
"
•s In the " edr Ko- Heimskringla Noregs
nunga-Sogor," tomus ii. , llavnia? , 1778, fol. 16 See the " Olafs Saga Helga," in Forn-
manna-Sogur, with Latin translation, in " Scripta Historica Islondorum. "
3? See "Vies des tome Saints,"
ix. ,
*9 See Saga Olafs Konungs bins Helga,
xxixe Jourde Juillet, pp. 120, 121.
28 See "Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. ,
July 29, pp. 636 to 676.
*» See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Julii xxix. De S. Olavo, Rege et Martyre,
Butler,
Bollandistes,
Suecorumque,'
"Encyklopdie. "
edited from a twelfth-century Manuscript in the Library of Corpus
Olavi,"
Christi College, Oxford, with an Introduction and Notes, by F. Metcalfe, M. A. ,FellowofLincolnCollege. 23 Livesornoticesofthissaintmaybefound,
in the works of Dean 2*
j
Joannes
See Articles, Olafs-Drapa, and Olafs- Saga Helga.
" See "The Tales of a Wayside Inn. "
date,
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 439
1
are followed by an Appendix of Miracles^ wrought through this holy
monarch's intercession. Those Acts are presented in a very generalized form ; and, in some respects, they differ materially from the accounts left us by the Norwegian writers. Besides those short Acts of our saint which the Bollan- dists published ; another Life of Olave in their possession has been sup- pressed, because it had been filled with fables, and because these conflicted with all the more reliable histories of times and of places to which they refer. This statement regarding that Life appears to be self-evident, from the brief resumegivenofitscontents^atleast,it maywellbeassumed,thatperver- sions of fact abound, and that little care had been devoted to ascertain the truth in relation to particulars. Strange as it may appear, Greven 33 and Molanus followed those Acts, while Joannes Meursius 34 appears to have read such accounts, or others similar, when treating about St. Olaf. The Six Proper Lessons of the old Breviary of Sleswick contain Acts of St. Olave ; and these appear to have been drawn from the Acta Brevia, published by the Bollandists, as also from that Utrecht Manuscript Life, belonging to the church of St. Saviour. However, the Fifth Lesson must be excepted, which appears to have been drawn from some other source. 35 From the foregoing documents, too, a Vita S. Olavi, contained in Legenda Sanctorum^ must
Nidrosiaa in Norvegia, pp. 87 to 120.
30 These were extracted, as we are told,
While rejoicing after a victory obtained, he fell into a trap laid for him by his brother. The latter gave him a choice either to re- nounce Christ or to bear his sufferings and death. When Olave refused to renounce the faith, he was obliged to undergo all that
Christ had suffered in the hall of Pilate and on Mount Calvary. For three hours he hung onthecross. Hethenprayednotalonefor his executioners, but for all merchants and those traversing the sea, who should invoke him in danger. On the ninth hour, he cried
bled, and many houses fell to the ground. The third day after this, his brother wished to burn the body, but it could not be con-
'
ex Passionali pergamento Ms. ccenobii
Bodecensis. " This account is comprised in
two chapters, consisting of sixteen para- graphs, with notes.
31 These are extracted from various sources, and they are recorded in sixteen paragraphs.
32 Thus it is found stated, that Olave had been converted by apostolic men in his own kingdom, where soon he began to
" Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend
preach the faith himself. Whereupon, he out
incurred the hatred of his brother. An my spirit. " Then he expired, the earth trem-
arrangement is said to have been made,
whereby Denmark was to become the prey
of one or other, as it should happen their
ships might first arrive there. At once, his sumed by fire. Out of its ashes, how-
brother began to prepare a fleet. However, Olave would only take a single vessel, which was guided by an Angel over high and pre- cipitous "rocks, while it arrived with such
ever, issued a frightful dragon, which de- stroyed Olave's brother, with many others. The foregoing accounts may well be rela- gated to the domain of fiction.
33 In the additions to Usuard.
at the Danish
the brother's fleet by a whole month. The
same prodigy was repeated not far from
Nidrosia, when Olave returned to
which his brother invaded. Having obtained
by conquest the kingdom of Denmark, Olave
spread there the Christian religion by words
and by miracles. This displeased his
brother, and Olave was obliged to fly into
Russia, as he had been admonished to do in
a vision, when Christ with his cross ap-
peared to him. After a sojourn there of fol. no, et seq. Almost from the beginning
that it
three years, he had another vision, in which Christ was loaded with his cross, crowned with thorns, and bleeding from every pore
speed
port,
anticipated
Norway,
34 In " Historise Danicse," lib. hi. , when
of his body, while he said
:
" You shall re-
it recounts almost in the same words, what is found in the Acta Brevia from num. 2, to the middle of num. 7. Thence, however, to the end, it follows those accounts in the Utrecht Manuscript, almost to the end, only that it omits a few particulars, adding some
others. Some it transposes, especially in the account of St. Olave's miracles.
turn to Denmark, O my dear Olave, where you must suffer at the hands of your impious brother on my account, what I have suffered on your account. " This mandate he obeyed.
:
recording the murder of St. Olaf, he states :
" Norvagique adeo ipsi non proditione eum a suis csesum, sed a fratre Haraldo, volunt ; cum quo de limitibus controversia illi esset. " Seep. 55. Amstelodami, 1638, foJ.
35 It narrates what happened to our saint, after his staff had been broken on our Lord's
day.
36 Printed at Louvain, A. D. 1485. See
44° LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29. have been compiled. This is not less faulty, than that Life in the Utrecht
—
as its
Manuscript—nay, it
even more so
additions, however limited, pre-
is
sent mere absurdities of statements
The old Sagas and scald compositions have frequent allusion to an Olaf
and to his romantic adventures in Ireland. 38 With our Island, he seems,
while young, to have had family and friendly relations ;39 but, he generally
goesbythenameofKingAulafTryggvesson. * Accordingtoacustomusual among the Northmen, this king took his father's name, which was Trygve,
"
to which the term "son
was a grandson of the celebrated Harald Haarfager. As related for us, his adventures were strange and romantic. His father had governed a part of Norway under King Haquin the Good. However, he had been betrayed by his own relations and massacred, before the birth of Olave, whose mother was obliged to fly for refuge into Sweden. Her brother Sigurd was one of the chiefministers to the Prince of Russia, and she hoped to place herself there under his protection. On the route, she was pursued by a pirate, who made her a prisoner. She was then separated from her young son, who was sold to a native of Esthonia. After some time, Olaf was restored to his uncle Sigurd, but being still pursued by his enemies, he resolved on betaking him- self to the pursuits of a sea-rover. The life he led was a very adventurous one. He ravaged with his fleet the coasts of England and of France. After an interview he had with a hermit, who lived on one of the Scilly Islands, Olaus embraced Christianity, In 996, he arrived in Dublin. There, he was
induced to sail for Norway, where Haquin the Tyrant then reigned. With
» Thus it is related at fol. 102 " Veniens
:
ergo S. Olavus, ut regnum Dacioe, sibi divi- nitus promissum, acceptaret, omnes cam-
panae totius regni per se pulsare inceperunt. Hoc idem factum est, eo revertente de Rus-
forces could be collected, retiring to Stam-
ford bridge on the Derwent, a desperate battle was fought there on the 27th of that month. Both Harald Hardraade and Tos- tig fell, with many celebrated Norwegian chiefs and brave warriors. After this great victory, the English King sent for Olaf, son of Hardraade, when accompanied by the Earl of Orkney and his bishop, Olaf waited on the conqueror, by whom he was most
was added. This king was born in 956, and he
cia abexilio in Daciam. "
38 See Rev. James Johnstone's
Olaf swore to live in amity with England, and when Harald took possession of the Norwegian fleet, he bestowed twelve ships on Olaf to enable him to sail for his native country. Thenhereceivedfromhisbrother Magnus the south-eastern parts of Norway, and two years later when he died, Olaf III. reigned over the whole of that kingdom. He married Ingigard, the daughter of Svend Estrithson,KingofDenmark. Hisprinci-
Antiqui- tates Celto-Scandicse," p. 68, et seq.
"
3' See Charles Haliday's "Scandinavian
Kingdom of Dublin," edited with some No-
tice of the Author's Life, by John P. Pren- humanely and graciously received. Then
dergast, pp. lxiii. , lxiv.
40 Another well known personage Olaf
III. , surnamed Kyrre or the Pacific—the
son of Harald III. , surnamed I lard - younger —
raada or the Cruel was a nephew to the
present St. Olaf. During the lifetime of his
father Harald III. , whom he had accom-
panied on an expedition to England, his
valuur was signalized, although war was ab-
horrent to his feelings. His father had fre-
quent contests with the Danes, who obtained
a naval victory over him in 1062. Another
Harald, King of England, he opposed, in
conjunction with Tostig the exiled Earl of courage improvements and industry, he Northumberland. With a fleet of three founded the city of Bergen in 1076. He in- hundred sail, and a gallant army, leaving the vited strangers, skilled in mechanical arts, to regency of Norway to his son Magnus, settle in Norway, while he took measures to
Harald Hardraade, in August, 1066, em- enfranchise slaves, who had became captives barked and landed at the mouth of the Tyne, in war. He organized religious societies,
where Tostig joined him with a few ships. Entering the Humber and ascending the Ouse, they became masters of the province
of York in September. However, Harold,
while he provided settled incomes for the clergy, whose efforts for the advancement of morality and religion he zealously seconded. See "Formanna-Sdgur," tomus vii. Olafs
King of England, immediately marched Sagakyrra, Kaupmannahoin, 1831.
against them,
and before their scattered 41 See Munter's "
Kirchen-geschichte
von
ples of policy were to keep in peace with all his neighbours, and to foster trade and commerce among his own subjects. To en-
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 441
some vessels and having only a small armament, he landed. The people received him as a liberator, and they proclaimed him king. Afterwards, his greatexertionsweretomakeChristianconvertsamonghispeople. Inthese attempts, his measures as taken were very arbitrary, but his zeal was in a great degree successful. It is stated, that he introduced Christianity into Iceland, into the Feroe Islands, and even into Greenland. *1 He was also the found—er
—
of Drontheim 4 2 or Trondheim 43 Nidarosia44 or Nidrosia
called in Latin
because it had been built at the mouth of the River Nid. 4S A magnificent
fiord extends northwards from the town while the Island of Munkholm 46 ;
rises majestically in front of it above the bay. This romantic view is termi- natedbymountainscoveredwithsnow. Onaccountofthegreatnumberof rocks at the mouth of its harbour, only small vessels can now frequent its waters ; so that we may infer, the ships of the vikings of former times did notrequireverydeepwaters,toaffordthemaplaceforanchorage. Thisdis- trict of Drontheim 47 now comprises two bishoprics \ the one taking in the baili- wick of North Drontheim, of South Drontheim and of Romsdal, while the other comprehends the amts or divisions of Nordland and the Finmarken. The Drontheim-fiorden nearly divided the kingdom of Norway into two parts. The town of Drontheim is said to have been formerly a magnificent capital, and at present it has greatly fallen from its ancient splendour.
There was also a King of Sweden, Olaf III. , and surnamed Scot-Konung,
8
from the time he was a child/ because his father Eric the Victorius wished
him to be recognised as his successor. His father had ruled over Denmark,49 as well as over Sweden, before his death, which happened in 994. His son Olaf-Scot-Konungwasonlyfourteenyearsofage,atthattime; andafterthe death of Eric, his widow Sigbrit married Sven or Sweyn I,, King of Denmark. s° Olaf embraced Christianity, in 1008, having been baptized by St. Sigfrid,51 who had come from England for that purpose.
All his family and many of the nobles followed his example. Afterwards, on the condition of Sweyn propagating the Christian religion in Denmark, he relinquished the latter kingdom. Nevertheless,Olafdesiringtoextendhisprerogativegavegreat offence to the chiefs, and he was obliged to yield such a pretension. Hereto- fore, his predecessors were called Kings of Upsal, a town where their residence usually had been, and which was their seat for government. How
DanemarkundNorwegen.
"
thechiefmagistrate,andit overtopsallthe other buildings. Its style of architecture is simple and noble ; but being built of wood, its ornaments have been distorted through
it is almost wholly surrounded by that river and the sea. With the exception of a few houses, the town is wholly built of wood, according to the usage very generally pre- vailing in Norway, and it has two suburbs, Back-kelandet and Ladegaard, in each of which there is a church. The principal street of Drontheim is called theMunkegade, and this extends through the whole breadth of the town to the shores of the fiord. The buildings on both sides of it have a very re-
spectable appearance.
43 Sometimes written Trondhjem. It is in
the district of Strinden, and it is the capital of the Province of Drontheim, situated in north latitude 63 25' 50". The town-house, now in the Munkegade, is the residence of
"
44 This town received its name Nideroos,
outlet of the Nid," owing to its position,
„
42 It is pronounced Tronyem, by the Nor-
wegians, and it is now the seat of anadminis-
trative division of Norway, the most north-
em in the kingdom. It is situated on a small
gulf,onthesouthsideoftheRiverNid,and See GazetteeroftheWorld,"vol. v. ,p. 79.
the opposite influences of heat and moisture, "
Nidar is the genitive case of Nid in the
Norwegian language.
4S According to Petrus Claudius Undalin,
as cited by Torfgeus in his " Historia Rerum
Norvegicarum," tomus i. , lib. ii. , cap. 21,
pp. 88, 89.
46 This is now crowned with a castle,
47 In Latin it is designated Thrandia, Throndemonis, Throndemnis, andThronde- mis.
48 He was born some time after 980.
49 This kingdom he obtained in 987.
s° Son to Haquin the Bad.
si His feast occurs on the 15th of Feb-
ruary.
442
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [July 29.
ever, he is distinguished as King Olaf I. , of Sweden. A league was formed between himself and Sweyn, to wrest Norway from the rule of Olaf I. , sur- named Trygvason ; and, the latter, being defeated in a great naval battle, jumped overboard when on the point of being made a prisoner. Thus, he perished in the waves. Afterwards, Olaf received a part of Norway as a reward, but this he held in suzerainty from Sweyn.
For the better understanding of historic events, in connexion with the
subject here treated, we deemed it important to present some notion respect-
ing the foregoing distinguished personages, who were contemporaries, and who had relations with the present holy king. Besides, whatever may have been related about his private life and virtues j his public actions and career have made him prominent in the Northern Chronicles, while it is only by comparison, with those who figured as his friends or opponents, that we can gain a proper estimate of the motives and necessities or policy that controlled his impulses and fortunes. How varied these were may have been chiefly owing to the turbulent and semi-barbarous ideas and customs of his country- men and of the age ; as also to the restless spirit of adventure and of con- questthatdestroyedallstabilityofgovernmentoroforder; becauseambition was strongly excited among the bold and aspiring, who little respected rulers—themselves often usurpers—or rights, however recognized or trans- mitted.
Before entering on the biography of St. Olaf himself, it is necessary to investigate the contradictory accounts contained in the Northern Chronicles, regarding his parents and ancestors. Some writers have incorrectly called our saint the son of Olaf Tryggvasson ; whereas, in reality, he was the son of Harald. The latter is said to have had for his father Gudriod,52 the son of Biorn,53 and the grandson of Harald Haarfager, or of the beautiful Hair, who was the first King of all Norway, towards the close of the ninth century. Wherefore, it seems, that not only was our saint of noble birth, but his family moreover descended from the renowned hero King of Norway. The father of Olaus is named Harald Grcenske,5* or the Greenlander. This was the province of Norway in which he had been educated. 55 He is also called Harold Grensdius, prince of Vingulmarch s6 and Westfold, in the southern part of Norway. This included three divisions, viz. : Listerleen or Listensen, MandalsteenorMandalense,NedenesteenorNidnesense. Tothese,other writersaddafourthdistrictcalled or — Hismother
Abigdelag Raabygdelag. "
—dsometimes
is called Asta, an Aasta, daughter
ofGudbrand sometimescalled
Gulbrand Kuta governor of Gulbmnd's Dale. Wherefore, Arngrim Jonas and Bailletus are astray, when they call his mother Astrida ; this latter was the
parent of Olaf Tryggvesson, and owing to the similarity of ourOlai's name, that mistakewasprobablycommitted. AccordingtotheNorthernGenealogies,58
sa Theodric, the monk of Nidrosia, styles him Gotd' rotd' ar Syr.
53 The same authority calls him Bernharcl, surnamed the Merchant.
54Heis "
styled arriere-petit-fils
he only ruled over a particular province in it, which was so called, and which extended nearly over the entire southern portion. See " Ilistoria Rerum Norvegicarum,"tomus ii. , lib. 261to
deHa- raid Haarfager, ct qui regna sur une partic
263.
—M. Le Dr. Hocfer's "Nouvelle Biographic Generate," tome
vi. , cap. xvi. , pp.
» According to Undalin, pars i. , lib. ii. ,
de la Norvege. "
x.
s8 As set forth by Torfacus, in " Series Dy-
nastarum et Regum Daniae a Skioldo Odini
Filio ad Gormum Grandrevum," lib. iii. ,
cap. x. , p. 359. Copenhagen, 1702,410.
55> This fierce sea-rover was born about A. D. 720, and he died a. d. 790. See ibid. ,
xxxviii. , col. 583.
55 According to Torfoeus, " Ilistoria Re-
rum Norvegicarum," tomus ii. , lib. vi. , cap. vi. , p. 246, and Ericus Olaus, lib. i. , p. 27.
56
appears to hold that Harald had been king
Although Eric of Upsal, lib. i. , at p. 27,
over all Norway Torfceus ; yet,
that
cap. x. , xi. , pp. 345 to 382. °°
theCodex
shows,
According to Torfyeus, quoting
cap.
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 443
Asta was descended from Ragnar or Regnar Lodbroch,59 King of Denmark and of England. After the murder of his father, Harald was obliged to fly into Sweden. After some years, through favour of Harald of the Blue Tooth, King of Denmark, and in the eighteenth year of his age, about a. d. 962, he was restored to his principality in the southern part of Norway. There he reigned for many succeeding years, under certain conditions exacted by the King of Denmark. It is stated, that our Olaf was born about the year 992. Others have it, that he was born about the year 995, and after the death of his father. 60 However, it has been thought more probable, that his birth should be assigned to a much earlier date, if we are to credit all those actions of his life, which have been recorded ; since, at this time, the northern chro-
61
years set down for his actions, which must have occurred in mature age, and
nology had not been safely settled,
and because we find in some authorities
62
detect manifest errors of statement, in the much lauded Icelandic documents,
which nevertheless fall within the tenth century.
Moreover, we are able to
and which are irreconcilable, not utterly
with facts recorded in 6^ history,
only
but even with the statements of many other of those Sagas that have seen the
light. When certain eastern regions in the north had been devastated, Harald directed his fleet against the shores of Sweden. The queen of that country, and then the widow of Eric the Victorious, was named Sigrid. She received him in a hospitable manner, but while some pleasantry passed between them at a banquet, she greatly offended Harald, by telling him that her fields and farms were as large as his whole kingdom in Norway. He abruptlyrosefromthetable,andleftherinanangrymood. However,she deemed it politic to appease him. Therefore, she bestowed so much attention and honour on her guest, afterwards, that he left in an agreeable fashion. The following summer, Harald repudiated his wife Asta, and he next meditated a new marriage. Undertaking a naval expedition towards the east, he visited
Sigrid on the way, and he then proposed, that she should become his wife.
However, although unwilling to marry him, yet fearing a refusal should excitehis anger,shetemporized; but,whilesheextolledthefidelityandmeritsofAsta, still she left him in hopes that her consent might be obtained. Harald was then invited to a banquet, where intoxicating drink was served to him in full measure. Overtakenbydrunkennessandsleep,hewasplacedonabed;
when, by orders of the perfidious queen, fagots were set around him, and fire was applied. The unfortunate Harald perished in the flames. 6* —
and on
intelligence had been conveyed to her by one Hranius 65 Asta went to her
1150.
*
62
Thus Jacobus Gislo, in his History, col-
After her
divorce,
hearing
about the death of h—
erhusband which
Flateyensis, in " Historia Rerum Norvegica-
rum," tomus ii. , lib. viii. , cap. xvii. , pp. 326,
327. 61
In his History of Sweden, Loccenius did not attempt to givedates before the year
identical with the present St. Olaf.
63 While Theodric, the monk of Nidrosia, defends the Icelandic chronology, which he
had very diligently "studied, he very strangely states, that Harald of the Beautiful Hair
reigned in the year of our Lord 1052, although he is recognised as the great-grand - father's father of St. Olave, who is stated to
have become a martyr in 1030. Thus, ac- cording to Theodoric's own computation, fully twenty-two years after his grandchild's grandson died, his great-grandfather's father reigned.
°4
Such is the account given by Eric of Upsal, in his work, lib. ii. , p. 28.
6s He appears to have been a pirate, who
had experienced many vicissitudes of fortune, and who had voyaged much at sea.
lected from the best authorities, and printed
at Stockholm in 1592, places at A. B. 998,
the period when St. Olave King of Norway
flourished, and when he carried on war with
Olave Scott Konung, while at 999, he states :
"
uxorem duxit. " Again, Pontanus, in lib. v. , " Rerum Danicarum," deems that Anlaf, who is recorded to have assisted King Sweyn in the blockade of London and against the English, a. d. 994, to have been
S. Olavus filiam Olavi Scottkonung in
444 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
father's house for refuge. Then, as has been supposed, Hacon, Jarl of Nor- way, had seized upon that kingdom. The place where her father lived was called Upland, and this district formed a considerable tract, in the midland
partsofNorway. Formerly,ithadbeengovernedbymanypettykings,and its people were known as Uplanders. It is represented, at present, by the
Province of Aggerhus, in which Christiana, the capital city of Norway is situated. 66 That place, too, is said to have been near Lake Mios or Mjosen. In this tract was situated Norwegian Groenland. Thither fled Asta, with her son Harald, afterwards celebrated in history as Hardraade ; while, according tosomeaccounts,hersonOlafwasnotthenborn. Hecameintotheworld, on the farm of Vika 6 ? at what exact time has been much contested, and
; but,
most probably now we may vainly enquire. According to some accounts,
Olaf was brought up by his maternal grandfather, Gudbrand, in Greenland ; while others state, that he was nurtured by Sigurd Syr, regulus of Hringarika, . jiear Obstoen Gulf, and towards the north. However, both statements maybe reconciled. ProbablyAstalivedwithhergrandfather,atfirst; and,whenafter
her second marriage with Sigurd, it seems likely, she brought her young chil- dren to their stepfather's house. Thus, at an early age, her son Olaus became anorphan. Afterthedeathofherhusband,Harald,AastamarriedSigurd Syr, a Jarl or petty king in Ringarik, in Norway, about a. d. 998.
It would thus seem, that under the care of his mother, Olaf was brought up in his foster-father's house. His future greatness was predicted by Sigurd, who probably inferred it, from the natural abilities he discovered in the child. According to some of the northern chronicles, when Olaus I. , King of Norway, and suraamed Trygvason, came to Ringarik to spread Chris- tianity,Sigurdandhiswife,withOlaf,Harald'sson,werebaptized. Atthis time, our Olaf must have been very young, since Olaf Trygvason engaged in war with Sweyn I. , King of Denmark, and he fell in a great naval battle fought a. d. 1000. While Olave was instructed, according to some accounts, at an early period of his life, in the Gospel truths, the wild stories related of his warlike adventures and his method of government give us rather an idea, that in manners and practice, he was by natural disposition ferocious and cruel. Yet, it does not seem so certain, that at this early term of his years, he had been otherwise than ignorant of the Christian doctrine and of its
moral obligations. According to other accounts, Olave embraced the faith in 68
England, buthewasnotbaptizeduntilhecametoNormandy,andthere,in
the of Rouen, he first received the Sacrament of 6? After- city regeneration.
wards, as we are told, he became very perfect ; for, in his ardour to obtain
eternal life, he despised all earthly enjoyments and pleasures. During the period of his youth, wild tales of adventures by sea and of foreign conquest must have been dinned into the ears of the boy, while these excited his imagination, and filled his mind with an ardent desire to seek an opportunity for distinguishing himself, like so many of his countrymen. At the age of eight, he is said to have surpassed all other children, in bodily strength and in
66
According to Undalin, in lib. ii. , cap. vi. to ix.
6? This is asserted in the Codex Flateyen-
"
as he who has been already mentioned, and who brought the news of Harald's death to Asta. He was also styled Peregrinator or the Wanderer, as also Nutricius, the Fos-
terer, probably owing to his training of Olaf.
7I Three different Manuscripts have this
statement, according to Torfreus.
Ja Found in a Manuscript old as those
mentioned. See Torfaeus, " Historia Re- rum Norvegicarum," tomus iii. , lib.
Snorro x s and Sturleson,
by
by Einar Skulason,16 as also in the Fornmanna-Sogur,^ by Munch,18 and by
x 9as also in Ersch's andGruber's
20 The of "Saga King
Maurer,
poet Longfellow. extant, likewise,
22
Olaf Tryggvason," taken from the Heimskringla, is found versified by the Ameri-
can 21 Thereis the"PassioetMiraculaBeati
at the
Challenor,
Baring-Gould.
of St. Olavus, King and Martyr, so far as they can be evolved from the northern histories and chronicles, while these accounts have been elaborately compiled and edited, by Father Peter Bosch. 29 They comprise a historic commentary in eleven sections, consisting of one hundred and twenty-seven paragraphs, and preceding short Acts,s° by some anonymous writer. These
29th day
2 s Rev.
July, Alban
hagiographical
Cressy, Bishop
and Rev. S.
HelmsUedt, 1762, 4k). 13 "
w See "Dublin Review," Third Series,
No. xii. , April, 1884, Art. iii. , pp. 307to 316.
'3 Published at Oxford, in 1881,
8*See " of under Church-History England
Saxon and Danish Monarchs," part iv. , book xxxiv. , chap, ix. , pp. 942, 943.
*s See "A Memorial of British Piety," p. no.
2<5 See"Livesofthe and Fathers, Martyrs
other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July xxix.
of
In Historia Danica,"lib. x.
MIn"HistoriaGothorum lib. ii.
1
26 Les The Bollandists have
Petits inserted,
2 ? at this same
28
This esteemed work has passed through
various editions. That published by John
Mader at Helstaedt, in 1670, 4to, is held to be the best.
n The Bollandist Boschius remarks of it, vetusto tamen inscripta codici, quern ab insula, ubi dilituit, Occidentalis Islandiaj,
F'lateyensem appellant. "
'- He was born probably in one of the
Danish Islands, and of a noble family; his
father and grandfather serving in the army
ofWaldemarI. Heenteredintoholyorders,
and a of his life in a Swe- passed great part
dish monastery. He died after A. D. 1203.
See Reimer, "De VitaSaxonis Grammatici. "
the Acts
tomes i. ,ii. Copenhagen, 1829. Itwas trans- lated into Latin there, and published, A. D.
1833.
Ib In " Det Norke Folks-Historie. "
** In " Die Bekehrung des Norwegis« chen Stammes. "
2°
"
•s In the " edr Ko- Heimskringla Noregs
nunga-Sogor," tomus ii. , llavnia? , 1778, fol. 16 See the " Olafs Saga Helga," in Forn-
manna-Sogur, with Latin translation, in " Scripta Historica Islondorum. "
3? See "Vies des tome Saints,"
ix. ,
*9 See Saga Olafs Konungs bins Helga,
xxixe Jourde Juillet, pp. 120, 121.
28 See "Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. ,
July 29, pp. 636 to 676.
*» See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Julii xxix. De S. Olavo, Rege et Martyre,
Butler,
Bollandistes,
Suecorumque,'
"Encyklopdie. "
edited from a twelfth-century Manuscript in the Library of Corpus
Olavi,"
Christi College, Oxford, with an Introduction and Notes, by F. Metcalfe, M. A. ,FellowofLincolnCollege. 23 Livesornoticesofthissaintmaybefound,
in the works of Dean 2*
j
Joannes
See Articles, Olafs-Drapa, and Olafs- Saga Helga.
" See "The Tales of a Wayside Inn. "
date,
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 439
1
are followed by an Appendix of Miracles^ wrought through this holy
monarch's intercession. Those Acts are presented in a very generalized form ; and, in some respects, they differ materially from the accounts left us by the Norwegian writers. Besides those short Acts of our saint which the Bollan- dists published ; another Life of Olave in their possession has been sup- pressed, because it had been filled with fables, and because these conflicted with all the more reliable histories of times and of places to which they refer. This statement regarding that Life appears to be self-evident, from the brief resumegivenofitscontents^atleast,it maywellbeassumed,thatperver- sions of fact abound, and that little care had been devoted to ascertain the truth in relation to particulars. Strange as it may appear, Greven 33 and Molanus followed those Acts, while Joannes Meursius 34 appears to have read such accounts, or others similar, when treating about St. Olaf. The Six Proper Lessons of the old Breviary of Sleswick contain Acts of St. Olave ; and these appear to have been drawn from the Acta Brevia, published by the Bollandists, as also from that Utrecht Manuscript Life, belonging to the church of St. Saviour. However, the Fifth Lesson must be excepted, which appears to have been drawn from some other source. 35 From the foregoing documents, too, a Vita S. Olavi, contained in Legenda Sanctorum^ must
Nidrosiaa in Norvegia, pp. 87 to 120.
30 These were extracted, as we are told,
While rejoicing after a victory obtained, he fell into a trap laid for him by his brother. The latter gave him a choice either to re- nounce Christ or to bear his sufferings and death. When Olave refused to renounce the faith, he was obliged to undergo all that
Christ had suffered in the hall of Pilate and on Mount Calvary. For three hours he hung onthecross. Hethenprayednotalonefor his executioners, but for all merchants and those traversing the sea, who should invoke him in danger. On the ninth hour, he cried
bled, and many houses fell to the ground. The third day after this, his brother wished to burn the body, but it could not be con-
'
ex Passionali pergamento Ms. ccenobii
Bodecensis. " This account is comprised in
two chapters, consisting of sixteen para- graphs, with notes.
31 These are extracted from various sources, and they are recorded in sixteen paragraphs.
32 Thus it is found stated, that Olave had been converted by apostolic men in his own kingdom, where soon he began to
" Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend
preach the faith himself. Whereupon, he out
incurred the hatred of his brother. An my spirit. " Then he expired, the earth trem-
arrangement is said to have been made,
whereby Denmark was to become the prey
of one or other, as it should happen their
ships might first arrive there. At once, his sumed by fire. Out of its ashes, how-
brother began to prepare a fleet. However, Olave would only take a single vessel, which was guided by an Angel over high and pre- cipitous "rocks, while it arrived with such
ever, issued a frightful dragon, which de- stroyed Olave's brother, with many others. The foregoing accounts may well be rela- gated to the domain of fiction.
33 In the additions to Usuard.
at the Danish
the brother's fleet by a whole month. The
same prodigy was repeated not far from
Nidrosia, when Olave returned to
which his brother invaded. Having obtained
by conquest the kingdom of Denmark, Olave
spread there the Christian religion by words
and by miracles. This displeased his
brother, and Olave was obliged to fly into
Russia, as he had been admonished to do in
a vision, when Christ with his cross ap-
peared to him. After a sojourn there of fol. no, et seq. Almost from the beginning
that it
three years, he had another vision, in which Christ was loaded with his cross, crowned with thorns, and bleeding from every pore
speed
port,
anticipated
Norway,
34 In " Historise Danicse," lib. hi. , when
of his body, while he said
:
" You shall re-
it recounts almost in the same words, what is found in the Acta Brevia from num. 2, to the middle of num. 7. Thence, however, to the end, it follows those accounts in the Utrecht Manuscript, almost to the end, only that it omits a few particulars, adding some
others. Some it transposes, especially in the account of St. Olave's miracles.
turn to Denmark, O my dear Olave, where you must suffer at the hands of your impious brother on my account, what I have suffered on your account. " This mandate he obeyed.
:
recording the murder of St. Olaf, he states :
" Norvagique adeo ipsi non proditione eum a suis csesum, sed a fratre Haraldo, volunt ; cum quo de limitibus controversia illi esset. " Seep. 55. Amstelodami, 1638, foJ.
35 It narrates what happened to our saint, after his staff had been broken on our Lord's
day.
36 Printed at Louvain, A. D. 1485. See
44° LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29. have been compiled. This is not less faulty, than that Life in the Utrecht
—
as its
Manuscript—nay, it
even more so
additions, however limited, pre-
is
sent mere absurdities of statements
The old Sagas and scald compositions have frequent allusion to an Olaf
and to his romantic adventures in Ireland. 38 With our Island, he seems,
while young, to have had family and friendly relations ;39 but, he generally
goesbythenameofKingAulafTryggvesson. * Accordingtoacustomusual among the Northmen, this king took his father's name, which was Trygve,
"
to which the term "son
was a grandson of the celebrated Harald Haarfager. As related for us, his adventures were strange and romantic. His father had governed a part of Norway under King Haquin the Good. However, he had been betrayed by his own relations and massacred, before the birth of Olave, whose mother was obliged to fly for refuge into Sweden. Her brother Sigurd was one of the chiefministers to the Prince of Russia, and she hoped to place herself there under his protection. On the route, she was pursued by a pirate, who made her a prisoner. She was then separated from her young son, who was sold to a native of Esthonia. After some time, Olaf was restored to his uncle Sigurd, but being still pursued by his enemies, he resolved on betaking him- self to the pursuits of a sea-rover. The life he led was a very adventurous one. He ravaged with his fleet the coasts of England and of France. After an interview he had with a hermit, who lived on one of the Scilly Islands, Olaus embraced Christianity, In 996, he arrived in Dublin. There, he was
induced to sail for Norway, where Haquin the Tyrant then reigned. With
» Thus it is related at fol. 102 " Veniens
:
ergo S. Olavus, ut regnum Dacioe, sibi divi- nitus promissum, acceptaret, omnes cam-
panae totius regni per se pulsare inceperunt. Hoc idem factum est, eo revertente de Rus-
forces could be collected, retiring to Stam-
ford bridge on the Derwent, a desperate battle was fought there on the 27th of that month. Both Harald Hardraade and Tos- tig fell, with many celebrated Norwegian chiefs and brave warriors. After this great victory, the English King sent for Olaf, son of Hardraade, when accompanied by the Earl of Orkney and his bishop, Olaf waited on the conqueror, by whom he was most
was added. This king was born in 956, and he
cia abexilio in Daciam. "
38 See Rev. James Johnstone's
Olaf swore to live in amity with England, and when Harald took possession of the Norwegian fleet, he bestowed twelve ships on Olaf to enable him to sail for his native country. Thenhereceivedfromhisbrother Magnus the south-eastern parts of Norway, and two years later when he died, Olaf III. reigned over the whole of that kingdom. He married Ingigard, the daughter of Svend Estrithson,KingofDenmark. Hisprinci-
Antiqui- tates Celto-Scandicse," p. 68, et seq.
"
3' See Charles Haliday's "Scandinavian
Kingdom of Dublin," edited with some No-
tice of the Author's Life, by John P. Pren- humanely and graciously received. Then
dergast, pp. lxiii. , lxiv.
40 Another well known personage Olaf
III. , surnamed Kyrre or the Pacific—the
son of Harald III. , surnamed I lard - younger —
raada or the Cruel was a nephew to the
present St. Olaf. During the lifetime of his
father Harald III. , whom he had accom-
panied on an expedition to England, his
valuur was signalized, although war was ab-
horrent to his feelings. His father had fre-
quent contests with the Danes, who obtained
a naval victory over him in 1062. Another
Harald, King of England, he opposed, in
conjunction with Tostig the exiled Earl of courage improvements and industry, he Northumberland. With a fleet of three founded the city of Bergen in 1076. He in- hundred sail, and a gallant army, leaving the vited strangers, skilled in mechanical arts, to regency of Norway to his son Magnus, settle in Norway, while he took measures to
Harald Hardraade, in August, 1066, em- enfranchise slaves, who had became captives barked and landed at the mouth of the Tyne, in war. He organized religious societies,
where Tostig joined him with a few ships. Entering the Humber and ascending the Ouse, they became masters of the province
of York in September. However, Harold,
while he provided settled incomes for the clergy, whose efforts for the advancement of morality and religion he zealously seconded. See "Formanna-Sdgur," tomus vii. Olafs
King of England, immediately marched Sagakyrra, Kaupmannahoin, 1831.
against them,
and before their scattered 41 See Munter's "
Kirchen-geschichte
von
ples of policy were to keep in peace with all his neighbours, and to foster trade and commerce among his own subjects. To en-
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 441
some vessels and having only a small armament, he landed. The people received him as a liberator, and they proclaimed him king. Afterwards, his greatexertionsweretomakeChristianconvertsamonghispeople. Inthese attempts, his measures as taken were very arbitrary, but his zeal was in a great degree successful. It is stated, that he introduced Christianity into Iceland, into the Feroe Islands, and even into Greenland. *1 He was also the found—er
—
of Drontheim 4 2 or Trondheim 43 Nidarosia44 or Nidrosia
called in Latin
because it had been built at the mouth of the River Nid. 4S A magnificent
fiord extends northwards from the town while the Island of Munkholm 46 ;
rises majestically in front of it above the bay. This romantic view is termi- natedbymountainscoveredwithsnow. Onaccountofthegreatnumberof rocks at the mouth of its harbour, only small vessels can now frequent its waters ; so that we may infer, the ships of the vikings of former times did notrequireverydeepwaters,toaffordthemaplaceforanchorage. Thisdis- trict of Drontheim 47 now comprises two bishoprics \ the one taking in the baili- wick of North Drontheim, of South Drontheim and of Romsdal, while the other comprehends the amts or divisions of Nordland and the Finmarken. The Drontheim-fiorden nearly divided the kingdom of Norway into two parts. The town of Drontheim is said to have been formerly a magnificent capital, and at present it has greatly fallen from its ancient splendour.
There was also a King of Sweden, Olaf III. , and surnamed Scot-Konung,
8
from the time he was a child/ because his father Eric the Victorius wished
him to be recognised as his successor. His father had ruled over Denmark,49 as well as over Sweden, before his death, which happened in 994. His son Olaf-Scot-Konungwasonlyfourteenyearsofage,atthattime; andafterthe death of Eric, his widow Sigbrit married Sven or Sweyn I,, King of Denmark. s° Olaf embraced Christianity, in 1008, having been baptized by St. Sigfrid,51 who had come from England for that purpose.
All his family and many of the nobles followed his example. Afterwards, on the condition of Sweyn propagating the Christian religion in Denmark, he relinquished the latter kingdom. Nevertheless,Olafdesiringtoextendhisprerogativegavegreat offence to the chiefs, and he was obliged to yield such a pretension. Hereto- fore, his predecessors were called Kings of Upsal, a town where their residence usually had been, and which was their seat for government. How
DanemarkundNorwegen.
"
thechiefmagistrate,andit overtopsallthe other buildings. Its style of architecture is simple and noble ; but being built of wood, its ornaments have been distorted through
it is almost wholly surrounded by that river and the sea. With the exception of a few houses, the town is wholly built of wood, according to the usage very generally pre- vailing in Norway, and it has two suburbs, Back-kelandet and Ladegaard, in each of which there is a church. The principal street of Drontheim is called theMunkegade, and this extends through the whole breadth of the town to the shores of the fiord. The buildings on both sides of it have a very re-
spectable appearance.
43 Sometimes written Trondhjem. It is in
the district of Strinden, and it is the capital of the Province of Drontheim, situated in north latitude 63 25' 50". The town-house, now in the Munkegade, is the residence of
"
44 This town received its name Nideroos,
outlet of the Nid," owing to its position,
„
42 It is pronounced Tronyem, by the Nor-
wegians, and it is now the seat of anadminis-
trative division of Norway, the most north-
em in the kingdom. It is situated on a small
gulf,onthesouthsideoftheRiverNid,and See GazetteeroftheWorld,"vol. v. ,p. 79.
the opposite influences of heat and moisture, "
Nidar is the genitive case of Nid in the
Norwegian language.
4S According to Petrus Claudius Undalin,
as cited by Torfgeus in his " Historia Rerum
Norvegicarum," tomus i. , lib. ii. , cap. 21,
pp. 88, 89.
46 This is now crowned with a castle,
47 In Latin it is designated Thrandia, Throndemonis, Throndemnis, andThronde- mis.
48 He was born some time after 980.
49 This kingdom he obtained in 987.
s° Son to Haquin the Bad.
si His feast occurs on the 15th of Feb-
ruary.
442
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [July 29.
ever, he is distinguished as King Olaf I. , of Sweden. A league was formed between himself and Sweyn, to wrest Norway from the rule of Olaf I. , sur- named Trygvason ; and, the latter, being defeated in a great naval battle, jumped overboard when on the point of being made a prisoner. Thus, he perished in the waves. Afterwards, Olaf received a part of Norway as a reward, but this he held in suzerainty from Sweyn.
For the better understanding of historic events, in connexion with the
subject here treated, we deemed it important to present some notion respect-
ing the foregoing distinguished personages, who were contemporaries, and who had relations with the present holy king. Besides, whatever may have been related about his private life and virtues j his public actions and career have made him prominent in the Northern Chronicles, while it is only by comparison, with those who figured as his friends or opponents, that we can gain a proper estimate of the motives and necessities or policy that controlled his impulses and fortunes. How varied these were may have been chiefly owing to the turbulent and semi-barbarous ideas and customs of his country- men and of the age ; as also to the restless spirit of adventure and of con- questthatdestroyedallstabilityofgovernmentoroforder; becauseambition was strongly excited among the bold and aspiring, who little respected rulers—themselves often usurpers—or rights, however recognized or trans- mitted.
Before entering on the biography of St. Olaf himself, it is necessary to investigate the contradictory accounts contained in the Northern Chronicles, regarding his parents and ancestors. Some writers have incorrectly called our saint the son of Olaf Tryggvasson ; whereas, in reality, he was the son of Harald. The latter is said to have had for his father Gudriod,52 the son of Biorn,53 and the grandson of Harald Haarfager, or of the beautiful Hair, who was the first King of all Norway, towards the close of the ninth century. Wherefore, it seems, that not only was our saint of noble birth, but his family moreover descended from the renowned hero King of Norway. The father of Olaus is named Harald Grcenske,5* or the Greenlander. This was the province of Norway in which he had been educated. 55 He is also called Harold Grensdius, prince of Vingulmarch s6 and Westfold, in the southern part of Norway. This included three divisions, viz. : Listerleen or Listensen, MandalsteenorMandalense,NedenesteenorNidnesense. Tothese,other writersaddafourthdistrictcalled or — Hismother
Abigdelag Raabygdelag. "
—dsometimes
is called Asta, an Aasta, daughter
ofGudbrand sometimescalled
Gulbrand Kuta governor of Gulbmnd's Dale. Wherefore, Arngrim Jonas and Bailletus are astray, when they call his mother Astrida ; this latter was the
parent of Olaf Tryggvesson, and owing to the similarity of ourOlai's name, that mistakewasprobablycommitted. AccordingtotheNorthernGenealogies,58
sa Theodric, the monk of Nidrosia, styles him Gotd' rotd' ar Syr.
53 The same authority calls him Bernharcl, surnamed the Merchant.
54Heis "
styled arriere-petit-fils
he only ruled over a particular province in it, which was so called, and which extended nearly over the entire southern portion. See " Ilistoria Rerum Norvegicarum,"tomus ii. , lib. 261to
deHa- raid Haarfager, ct qui regna sur une partic
263.
—M. Le Dr. Hocfer's "Nouvelle Biographic Generate," tome
vi. , cap. xvi. , pp.
» According to Undalin, pars i. , lib. ii. ,
de la Norvege. "
x.
s8 As set forth by Torfacus, in " Series Dy-
nastarum et Regum Daniae a Skioldo Odini
Filio ad Gormum Grandrevum," lib. iii. ,
cap. x. , p. 359. Copenhagen, 1702,410.
55> This fierce sea-rover was born about A. D. 720, and he died a. d. 790. See ibid. ,
xxxviii. , col. 583.
55 According to Torfoeus, " Ilistoria Re-
rum Norvegicarum," tomus ii. , lib. vi. , cap. vi. , p. 246, and Ericus Olaus, lib. i. , p. 27.
56
appears to hold that Harald had been king
Although Eric of Upsal, lib. i. , at p. 27,
over all Norway Torfceus ; yet,
that
cap. x. , xi. , pp. 345 to 382. °°
theCodex
shows,
According to Torfyeus, quoting
cap.
July 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 443
Asta was descended from Ragnar or Regnar Lodbroch,59 King of Denmark and of England. After the murder of his father, Harald was obliged to fly into Sweden. After some years, through favour of Harald of the Blue Tooth, King of Denmark, and in the eighteenth year of his age, about a. d. 962, he was restored to his principality in the southern part of Norway. There he reigned for many succeeding years, under certain conditions exacted by the King of Denmark. It is stated, that our Olaf was born about the year 992. Others have it, that he was born about the year 995, and after the death of his father. 60 However, it has been thought more probable, that his birth should be assigned to a much earlier date, if we are to credit all those actions of his life, which have been recorded ; since, at this time, the northern chro-
61
years set down for his actions, which must have occurred in mature age, and
nology had not been safely settled,
and because we find in some authorities
62
detect manifest errors of statement, in the much lauded Icelandic documents,
which nevertheless fall within the tenth century.
Moreover, we are able to
and which are irreconcilable, not utterly
with facts recorded in 6^ history,
only
but even with the statements of many other of those Sagas that have seen the
light. When certain eastern regions in the north had been devastated, Harald directed his fleet against the shores of Sweden. The queen of that country, and then the widow of Eric the Victorious, was named Sigrid. She received him in a hospitable manner, but while some pleasantry passed between them at a banquet, she greatly offended Harald, by telling him that her fields and farms were as large as his whole kingdom in Norway. He abruptlyrosefromthetable,andleftherinanangrymood. However,she deemed it politic to appease him. Therefore, she bestowed so much attention and honour on her guest, afterwards, that he left in an agreeable fashion. The following summer, Harald repudiated his wife Asta, and he next meditated a new marriage. Undertaking a naval expedition towards the east, he visited
Sigrid on the way, and he then proposed, that she should become his wife.
However, although unwilling to marry him, yet fearing a refusal should excitehis anger,shetemporized; but,whilesheextolledthefidelityandmeritsofAsta, still she left him in hopes that her consent might be obtained. Harald was then invited to a banquet, where intoxicating drink was served to him in full measure. Overtakenbydrunkennessandsleep,hewasplacedonabed;
when, by orders of the perfidious queen, fagots were set around him, and fire was applied. The unfortunate Harald perished in the flames. 6* —
and on
intelligence had been conveyed to her by one Hranius 65 Asta went to her
1150.
*
62
Thus Jacobus Gislo, in his History, col-
After her
divorce,
hearing
about the death of h—
erhusband which
Flateyensis, in " Historia Rerum Norvegica-
rum," tomus ii. , lib. viii. , cap. xvii. , pp. 326,
327. 61
In his History of Sweden, Loccenius did not attempt to givedates before the year
identical with the present St. Olaf.
63 While Theodric, the monk of Nidrosia, defends the Icelandic chronology, which he
had very diligently "studied, he very strangely states, that Harald of the Beautiful Hair
reigned in the year of our Lord 1052, although he is recognised as the great-grand - father's father of St. Olave, who is stated to
have become a martyr in 1030. Thus, ac- cording to Theodoric's own computation, fully twenty-two years after his grandchild's grandson died, his great-grandfather's father reigned.
°4
Such is the account given by Eric of Upsal, in his work, lib. ii. , p. 28.
6s He appears to have been a pirate, who
had experienced many vicissitudes of fortune, and who had voyaged much at sea.
lected from the best authorities, and printed
at Stockholm in 1592, places at A. B. 998,
the period when St. Olave King of Norway
flourished, and when he carried on war with
Olave Scott Konung, while at 999, he states :
"
uxorem duxit. " Again, Pontanus, in lib. v. , " Rerum Danicarum," deems that Anlaf, who is recorded to have assisted King Sweyn in the blockade of London and against the English, a. d. 994, to have been
S. Olavus filiam Olavi Scottkonung in
444 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 29.
father's house for refuge. Then, as has been supposed, Hacon, Jarl of Nor- way, had seized upon that kingdom. The place where her father lived was called Upland, and this district formed a considerable tract, in the midland
partsofNorway. Formerly,ithadbeengovernedbymanypettykings,and its people were known as Uplanders. It is represented, at present, by the
Province of Aggerhus, in which Christiana, the capital city of Norway is situated. 66 That place, too, is said to have been near Lake Mios or Mjosen. In this tract was situated Norwegian Groenland. Thither fled Asta, with her son Harald, afterwards celebrated in history as Hardraade ; while, according tosomeaccounts,hersonOlafwasnotthenborn. Hecameintotheworld, on the farm of Vika 6 ? at what exact time has been much contested, and
; but,
most probably now we may vainly enquire. According to some accounts,
Olaf was brought up by his maternal grandfather, Gudbrand, in Greenland ; while others state, that he was nurtured by Sigurd Syr, regulus of Hringarika, . jiear Obstoen Gulf, and towards the north. However, both statements maybe reconciled. ProbablyAstalivedwithhergrandfather,atfirst; and,whenafter
her second marriage with Sigurd, it seems likely, she brought her young chil- dren to their stepfather's house. Thus, at an early age, her son Olaus became anorphan. Afterthedeathofherhusband,Harald,AastamarriedSigurd Syr, a Jarl or petty king in Ringarik, in Norway, about a. d. 998.
It would thus seem, that under the care of his mother, Olaf was brought up in his foster-father's house. His future greatness was predicted by Sigurd, who probably inferred it, from the natural abilities he discovered in the child. According to some of the northern chronicles, when Olaus I. , King of Norway, and suraamed Trygvason, came to Ringarik to spread Chris- tianity,Sigurdandhiswife,withOlaf,Harald'sson,werebaptized. Atthis time, our Olaf must have been very young, since Olaf Trygvason engaged in war with Sweyn I. , King of Denmark, and he fell in a great naval battle fought a. d. 1000. While Olave was instructed, according to some accounts, at an early period of his life, in the Gospel truths, the wild stories related of his warlike adventures and his method of government give us rather an idea, that in manners and practice, he was by natural disposition ferocious and cruel. Yet, it does not seem so certain, that at this early term of his years, he had been otherwise than ignorant of the Christian doctrine and of its
moral obligations. According to other accounts, Olave embraced the faith in 68
England, buthewasnotbaptizeduntilhecametoNormandy,andthere,in
the of Rouen, he first received the Sacrament of 6? After- city regeneration.
wards, as we are told, he became very perfect ; for, in his ardour to obtain
eternal life, he despised all earthly enjoyments and pleasures. During the period of his youth, wild tales of adventures by sea and of foreign conquest must have been dinned into the ears of the boy, while these excited his imagination, and filled his mind with an ardent desire to seek an opportunity for distinguishing himself, like so many of his countrymen. At the age of eight, he is said to have surpassed all other children, in bodily strength and in
66
According to Undalin, in lib. ii. , cap. vi. to ix.
6? This is asserted in the Codex Flateyen-
"
as he who has been already mentioned, and who brought the news of Harald's death to Asta. He was also styled Peregrinator or the Wanderer, as also Nutricius, the Fos-
terer, probably owing to his training of Olaf.
7I Three different Manuscripts have this
statement, according to Torfreus.
Ja Found in a Manuscript old as those
mentioned. See Torfaeus, " Historia Re- rum Norvegicarum," tomus iii. , lib.
