Olaf Tryggvason

Olaf I Tryggvason (–1000) was the King of Norway from 995-1000.The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology, Vol 3, ed. Clifford J. Rogers (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010), p. 75 He began his career as a Viking in exile. He was a brutal king who forced Christianity on his people.

 Biography 
Olaf was the son of king Tryggve Olafsson of Norway and grandson of Harald Fairhair, the first king of all Norway.Jan Sjåvik, The A to Z of Norway (Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2010), p. 7 According to tradition, Gunhild, wife of Eric Bloodaxe, wanted him killed. Instead he and his mother were sold as slaves. When they were freed, he ended up in Russia where he grew up. He commanded the mercenary troops  of Vladimir the Great in Kiev. In 985 he led his Vikings through the Baltic Sea in a raid on the British Isles. He won the Battle of Maldon in 991. He and Sweyn Forkbeard, the two leaders, received a payment from the English of  of money (in gold and silver). Peter Sawyer, The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001), p. 74 According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, he accepted the Christian faith just after a failed attack on London in 994.Gwyn Jones, A History of the Vikings (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 1985), p. 132 Rich, newly converted and with many followers, he decided to return to Norway to spread Christianity.

In the autumn of 995 he arrived in Norway. He was accepted as King and began the process of converting the people to the new Christian faith. Olaf did this by force.Prudence Jones; Nigel Pennick, A History of Pagan Europe (London; New York: Routledge, 2009), p. 135 He looted and burned pagan temples. He forced entire communities to become Christian or die. However, many of his pagan subjects chose death over giving up their beliefs. Finally, in the year 1000, his enemies joined forces, attacked and killed him at a place named "Svolder".

 References 

Category:960s births
Category:1000s deaths
Category:Converts to Christianity
Category:History of Norway
Category:Kings and Queens of Norway