Daily Quiz for October 18, 2008

Saint Olaf. Also known as Olaf II and Olaf Haraldsson, Saint Olaf was born a pagan and lived as a warrior for most of his years going on to become the patron saint of Norway. The son of Harald I, Olaf’s early career was spent outside Norway fighting the Danes and English among others. After converting to Christianity in France, he returned to Norway in 1015 and promptly conquered land held by Denmark, Sweden and Norwegian lords. In 1024, he introduced a religious code in his efforts to convert the Norwegians to Christianity. Forced to flee in 1028 by Canute, king of England and Denmark, Olaf returned to reconquer Norway, but was defeated and killed at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030. He was canonized the following year.