July 29, 1030 · Stiklestad, Trøndelag, Norway Theater
July 29, 1030
Olaf II Haraldsson — who had forcibly Christianized Norway and alienated the powerful Norwegian chieftain class with his heavy-handed rule — was driven into exile in 1028 when Cnut of Denmark invaded and the Norwegian lords defected to him. Olaf returned from Russia in 1030 with a small force and was met at Stiklestad by a much larger army of Norwegian peasants and chieftains fighting for Cnut. He was killed in the battle. Within a year, Norwegian opinion had reversed: the Danish-backed regent was seen as oppressive, Olaf's relics were performing miracles, and the Archbishop of Nidaros declared him a saint. He was canonized as Saint Olaf within twelve months of his death — one of the fastest canonizations in medieval history.
Commanders