Olaf III of Norway
Olaf III | |
---|---|
Harald III of Norway | |
Mother | Tora Torbergsdatter |
Olaf III or Olaf Haraldsson (
He was present at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in England in 1066 where his father, King Harald Hardrada, saw defeat and was killed in action, an event that directly preceded his kingship. During his rule, Olaf made peace with regards to earlier royal conflicts with the church, strengthened the power of the monarchy, and is traditionally credited with founding the city of Bergen circa 1070. Around 1225, Snorri Sturluson wrote Olav Kyrres saga about King Olaf in the Heimskringla.[2]
Biography
Olaf was a son of King
After the death of his father, Olaf shared the kingdom with his brother Magnus II (Magnus 2 Haraldsson) who had become king the previous year. When King Magnus died during 1069, Olaf became the sole ruler of Norway.[4][5]
During his reign, the nation of Norway experienced a rare extended period of peace. He renounced any offensive foreign policy, instead protecting Norway's sovereignty through agreements and marriage connections. Domestically he emphasized the church's organization and the modernization of the kingdom. The latter resulted in, among other things, the reorganization of the
The death of Harald Hardrada and the serious defeat suffered by the Norwegians in 1066 tempted the Danish king,
King Olaf broke with his father's line in his relationship to the church. Harald Hardrada had developed a continuing conflict with the
Olaf strengthened the power of the king and instituted the system of
King Olaf died of illness on 22 September 1093 in Haukbø,
Appearance and character
The Morkinskinna (c. 1220) describes Olaf III as:
- "[A] tall man, and everyone agrees that there has never been seen a fairer man or a man of nobler appearance."
- "He had blond hair, a light complexion, and pleasing eyes, and he was well proportioned. He was taciturn for the most part, and not much of a speechmaker, though he was good company after drink."[11]
Another description is found in the Heimskringla of Snorri Sturluson:
- "Olaf was a stout man, well grown in limbs; and every one said a handsomer man could not be seen, nor of a nobler appearance."
- "His hair was yellow as silk, and became him well; his skin was white and fine over all his body; his eyes beautiful, and his limbs well proportioned. He was rather silent in general, and did not speak much even at Things; but he was merry in drinking parties. He loved drinking much, and was talkative enough then; but quite peaceful."
- "He was cheerful in conversation, peacefully inclined during all his reign, and loving gentleness and moderation in all things."[12]
Memorial
A memorial to King Olaf Kyrre was placed in
The "Maine penny"
The
See also
References
- ^ a b c Claus Krag Olav 3 Haraldsson Kyrre (Norsk biografisk leksikon)
- ^ "History of Bergen". The 27th Meeting of the European Crystallographic Association. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Per G. Norseng Olav 3 (Haraldsson) Kyrre (Store norske leksikon)
- ^ "Olav 3. Kyrre". Den Store Danske. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Claus Krag. "Magnus 2 Haraldsson, Konge". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ "Saga of Olaf Kyrre". Heimskringla by Snorri Sturluson. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Hallvard Magerøy. "Bjørgvin". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Odd Brochmann Nidarosdomen (Store norske leksikon)
- ^ Per G. Norseng Gulatingsloven (Store norske leksikon)
- ^ Claus Krag. "Magnus 3 Olavsson Berrføtt, Konge". Norsk biografisk leksikon. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Morkinskinna chronicle, quoted in History of the Norwegian people, Gjerset, Knut, New York, MacMillan, 1915.
- ^ Tennant, Roy. "Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Saga of Olaf Kyrre". The Online Medieval & Classical Library. Retrieved 21 April 2015.