Description
Olav Haraldsson (995-1030), sometimes called the viking saint, is 'Norges evige Konge' (Norway's eternal King), far more important to Norwegians than Arthur is to the British or the Scots, because he symbolises Norway. His axe features in his country's coat of arms while his burial place, Nidaros, is Norway's national shrine. Like Arthur, his story begins with a sword, the Sword Baesing taken from a burial mound. But unlike Britain's 'Once and future King' he really existed. A viking whose loot from years of plunder helped him to win his throne, as well as Baesing he owned an axe named 'Hel' after the Norse goddess of death, yet he also made Norway Christian, even if he did so by cutting out tongues and gouging out eyes.
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