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Battle of Stiklestad

From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.

Conflict

Norwegian Civil War

Date

Summer 1030

Place

Stiklestad, Norway

Result

Northern victory

Combatants
Southerners, Men of the King	Northerners, Trønders, "The farmers"
Commanders
Óláfr digri, Dagr Hringsson	Kálfr Árnason, Þórir hundr, Hárekr ór Þjóttu
Strength
Several thousand	"The largest army ever assembled in Norway", "An invincible army", Up to ten thousand men
Casualties
Unknown	Unknown

The Battle of Stiklestad (Old Norse Stiklarstaðir) in 1030 is one of the most famous battles in the history of Norway. In this battle King Olaf II of Norway (Old Norse Óláfr Haraldsson) lost his life. He was later made a saint, and the battle represents the introduction of Christianity into Norway.

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History

During the 8th Century, Norway was controlled by several local strong kings having control over their regional areas. At the end of the century, King Harald Fairhair (ON Haraldr Hárfagri) managed to bring these local kings together in spite of their fierce competition and fighting. The 8th century was followed by renewed fighting both between regions and between royal families, among them the Hárfagri family and the Ladejarls (ON Hlaðajarlar) originating from Trondheim (ON Þrándheimr). In the year 1000 Svein (ON Sveinn) and Eirik (ON Eiríkr) of the Ladejarls took control over Norway.

In the year 1015 Olav Haraldsson, representing the Hárfagri family, returned from one of his viking trips and he was immediately elected as King of Norway. June 1016 he won the battle at Nesjar against the Ladejarls.

The major reason behind Olav Haraldsson's success in becoming King of Norway was the fact that Denmark was busy conquering England. In the year 1028 however, the Danish King Canute the Great made an alliance with the Ladejarls, and Olav had to escape to Garðaríki (Russia). In the year of 1029 the last Ladejarl Håkon Jarl drowned, and Olav decided to return to Norway with his army to regain his throne and the Kingdom of Norway.

He traveled with his 3,600 men army through Sweden and crossed the mountains into the valley of Verdal (ON Veradalr), 80 km north of the city of Trondheim. Olav and his men arrived at Stiklestad a farm in the lower part of the valley. This was where the Battle of Stiklestad took place, as described by Snorre (Snorri Sturluson) in his famous book Heimskringla 200 years later.

At Stiklestad, Olav met an army led by Hårek from Tjøtta (ON Hárekr ór Þjóttu), Tore Hund (ON Þórir Hundr) from Bjarkøy and Kalv Arneson (ON Kálfr Árnason), a man who previously served Olav. The peasant army consisted of more than 7,000 men according to Snorre.

The battle took place on July 29, 1030. At the end of the day, Olav's army had lost. During the battle, Olav received three severe wounds and died leaning against a large stone. On top of this stone, the Stiklestad Church was later erected. His body was carried away and buried in secrecy in Trondheim.

The year after the battle his coffin was moved to the Klement Church in Trondheim. According to Snorre, his hair had grown since he was buried. Olav was sanctified and given the name Olav den Hellige (Saint Olaf). The Stiklestad Church was erected on top of the stone against which he died. The stone is supposedly still inside the altar of the church.

100 years later, the Nidaros Cathedral was built in Trondheim, and Olav's coffin was moved to this church. In the 15th Century, during the Protestant Reformation period, Olav's coffin was moved and his remains was buried somewhere in Nidaros Cathedral - exactly where is still today an unsolved mystery.

July 29 1954, the owner of the farm Sul arranged to have a theater play on his premises. The historic play was based upon both the story of the Battle of Stiklestad described by Snorre and the events that could likely have taken place at the Sul farm at the time before the battle. Snorre writes that Olav had visited this farm with his army on his way to Stiklestad. Today - 50 years later - more than 600,000 people have travelled to Stiklestad to view The Saint Olav Drama at what is now the largest outdoor theatre in Scandinavia.

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