Olaf

Olaf, the name of several kings of Denmark, Sweden, or Norway, who reigned at various periods from the 7th to the 14th century. Chief among these was Olaf II., known as St. Olaf, who wrested the Norwegian throne from Eric in 1012 and began to propagate Christianity. His subjects rebelled and called in Knut the Great from Norway, and Olaf, being expelled, fled to his brother-in-law Jaroslav of Russia, who lent him men to recover his throne. In this he failed, for he was killed in 1030 at the battle of Sticklestad. He became the patron saint of Norway, and so lately as 1847 a knightly order was established in his honour.