Owing to Olaf's later status as the patron saint of Norway, and to his importance in later medieval historiography and in Norwegian folklore, it is difficult to assess the character of the historical Olaf.
Karena status Olaf belakangan sebagai santo pelindung Norwegia, dan pentingnya sejarah historiografi abad pertengahan dan dalam cerita rakyat Norwegia, sulit untuk menilai karakter Olaf secara historis.