The New Student's Reference Work/Olaf, Saint

O′laf, Saint, one of the early Norwegian kings (1015-28), was born in 996. He distinguished himself by warlike expeditions on the coast of Normandy and of England. In 1015 he wrested the throne from Eric and Svend Jarl. His efforts to exterminate paganism by fire and sword cost the favor of his subjects, who offered their allegiance to Canute, king of Denmark, when he landed in Norway in 1028. Olaf fled to Russia, where he was given a band of 4,000 men, and, returning, attacked Canute, but was defeated and slain (1030 A. D.). His body was thought to possess miraculous powers, for which reason he was proclaimed the patron saint of Norway.