The Battle of Stiklestad
The Battle of Stiklestad took place in Stiklestad in Trøndelag (Verdal municipality) the 29th of July 1030. This battle happened because King Olav Haraldson wanted to take back the throne of Norway and also wanted to spread Christianity. Years before the battle, King Olav Haraldson traveled to England and learned about Christianity. Olav was fascinated and wanted to take Christianity back to Norway because Norwegians still believed in Norse mythology.
Olav had come in conflict with powerful men who had supported him and he fled Norway to Sweden and then Russia. His successor was Håkon Eiriksson (Knuds Jarl in Norway), son of the Danish English King Knut the powerful. In 1029, Håkon Eiriksson drowned on the way back from the British isles. When Olav heard that, he saw the opportunity to take back the Norwegian throne. He gathered an army of loyals and supporters on his journey back to Norway. He came through Sweden, over Verdalen, and met a peasant army at Stiklestad. The peasant army consisted of about 7000 men and was led by famous chiefs like Kalv Arnesson and Tore Hund. Olav’s army consisted of about 3600 men. During the battle, Olav was killed by the chiefs and his army was defeated.
A church was built on the same place where he died. After his death, he was carried to Nidaros (Trondheim today). One year later, he was designated as a saint. He now goes by the name St. Olav or Olav den hellige in Norwegian.
Fun fact:
Olav Haraldsson is buried under the Nidaros cathedral in Trondheim. Despite knowing that, they can’t access the body.
- Bastien Champay - Norway
