Today In History: The Battle of Stiklestad

Photo of Viking Helmet by Nualabugeye on Flickr, Click for Original

Photo of Viking Helmet by Nualabugeye on Flickr, Click for Original

July 29th: Today in 1030 is the day traditionally assigned to the Battle of Stikilestad. The battle is depicted in the Heimskringla the saga of the Kings of Norway and was most famous for being the place where King Olaf II, later Saint Olaf fell in battle. The Heimskringla describes his death as

The king said to Bjorn the marshal, “Do thou kill the dog on whom
steel will not bite.” Bjorn turned round the axe in his hands,
and gave Thorer a blow with the hammer of it on the shoulder so
hard that he tottered. The king at the same moment turned
against Kalf and his relations, and gave Olaf his death-wound.
Thorer Hund struck his spear right through the body of Marshal
Bjorn, and killed him outright; and Thorer said, “It is thus we
hunt the bear.” (2) Thorstein Knarrarsmid struck at King Olaf
with his axe, and the blow hit his left leg above the knee. Fin
Arnason instantly killed Thorstein. The king after the wound
staggered towards a stone, threw down his sword, and prayed God
to help him. Then Thorer Hund struck at him with his spear, and
the stroke went in under his mail-coat and into his belly. Then
Kalf struck at him on the left side of the neck. But all are not
agreed upon Kalf having been the man who gave him the wound in
the neck. These three wounds were King Olaf’s death; and after
the king’s death the greater part of the forces which had
advanced with him fell with the king.

and this was the proper way for a Christian Viking King to die. The Saga can also be found in Norse Here.

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