Saint Olaf's ‘cruelty’: Violence by the Scandinavian King interpreted over the centuries
Asko Timonen
At the end of 1730s Regia Academia Aboensis Turku published a dissertation, De Sancti Olavi Norwegiae Regis pravo religionis zelo. The work deals with cruelty Saint Olaf, King Norway, 1015–1030, who was canonized after his death at battle Stiklestad. Thereafter, Catholic Church spread rex iustus ideology Olaf throughout Scandinavia. Historians considered violent methods conversion justified. On other hand, in thirteenth century Heimskringla represented king's violence from heroic, secular and fatalistic-not only Christian-viewpoints. dissertation stood for new interpretation legend. In this example ‘era freedom’ (1719-72), author applied theory natural law which had been introduced into Swedish academic discussion, particularly by Samuel von Pufendorf, he consciously broke portraits Saint. Since universities paid particular attention to religious emphases law, sources like were perhaps more than they actually were. atmosphere there could be one definition Olaf's violence: cruelty.
Journal of Medieval History