Stikelstad to Trondheim

We got a great taste of Viking history today as we toured the battlefield of Stiklestad. Olaf Harroldson was the son of King Harrold, the guy who unified all the minor kingdoms of Norway into one large kingdom under the Nordic gods. Later, Olaf became a pretty brutal king himself, pillaging and raiding his way to Russia and back again, increasing Norway's wealth and generally giving Vikings a bad name. But, as happens, he saw the light and converted to Christianity and thoughtfully gave the Norwegian people the choice of converting as well or ... dying. In the year 1030, it all came to a head at the Battle of Stiklestad where Olaf fought the "Farmers Army" and was slain in battle. He may have been murdered by his own judus, as his men turned allegiance. Or, he may have just been slain. Either way, there was no Valhalla for Olaf. It is said that his blood was inadvertently smeared in the eyes of a blind man after the battle and he could see. It is also said that his blood cured the battle wound of his judus. Queue the Monty Python reference ... "I was blind but now I can see. It's a miracle!!" Two miracles, in fact, so dead King Olaf was canonised and made a saint.
The replica Viking village here is excellent and we got to see some archery and a couple of guys practice sword fighting in preparation for the annual battle re-enactment at the end of the month. Thousands of people come from all over the country for the 5 day festival to commemorate Saint Olaf. I'd come for the sword fighting alone.Read more