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Chapter 1: What historical context sets the stage for Olaf's return to Norway?
Norway, 1030 AD. Two years after Olaf Haraldsson fled Norway, he returns to fight for the throne. In the greatest battle of his life, praying for victory against hopeless odds, Olaf journeys toward his destiny on the fields of Stiklestad.
The Saints, Adventures of Faith and Courage, Olaf of Norway, Episode 5, The Eternal King. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com.
Pull!
There she is. My Norway. She's as beautiful as when we left her, my king. Strange.
Chapter 2: What challenges does Olaf face as he returns to reclaim his throne?
Ah, look at that. There appears to be a welcome party come to greet us. They're shouting something.
Berthold! Featherhead! King Olaf, my king!
Bishop Grimkettle!
Berthold!
Bjorn, you hapless rogue! What on earth have they been feeding you in Sweden these last two years?
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Chapter 3: How does Olaf prepare for the battle at Stiklestad?
Straight fat and mead? You've got stouter, bear cub. And you slimmer. Surely these heathens didn't run you that hard in my absence.
That would be my fault, King Olaf. Bjorn has been one of the main advocates for the church in your absence. I've been overworking him and his men. I am happy to give them back to their king.
It's good to see you both, my friends. How fair is my mother? She's well, Olaf.
Overjoyed to know that you are here to take back the throne from King Canute and those traitorous Jarls.
That is the prayer, Bishop. In that spirit, let us set forth. Amen. Amen. Men, forward! It's so good to have you back, brother. It's good to be back, brother. How many men do you lead?
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Chapter 4: What role does faith play in Olaf's leadership and decisions?
A thousand. Together we make an army of no more than four thousand. The forces against us could well be triple that. We must have faith. We must fight for Norway and for the Carpenter's son. We will, my king. I should go check on the rear guard. My Norway. Your Norway, Carpenter's son. What can I hope to gain here, my friend? I am an outlaw king, a vagabond without a throne. Did I fail you?
This cannot all be in vain. It cannot be. It cannot. Norway, my beloved Norway, you are my glory, my heart, my home. Please, carpenter's son, fill this land with your grace. I do not know the way. Show me.
King Olaf, an army of warriors is waiting for us up ahead.
Chapter 5: How does Olaf's encounter with Jarl Afrofost impact his army's strength?
What? It's no more than 400 men, my king, and they don't seem to be flying any flag in particular. Hold! Their Jarl is approaching.
You there, announce yourself. I am Jarl Afrofost. My men and I heard there was going to be a fight around these parts.
Any preferences on who you are fighting for?
Whoever is offering.
We've got a true Norwegian on our hands here, men. I'm Olaf Haraldsson, rightful king of Norway. And I offer you a place in this army. On one condition. All of your men must be baptized if they are not yet Christian. Only Christian men shall march under my banner.
Very well. If it leads us to a good fight, I know my men will follow your guard and you, King Olaf. Good. Bishop Grimkettle!
Yes, my king?
All those men over there wish to be baptized.
We have seen another army coming from the west, King Olaf. Well over 8,000 strong. They are headed to the farmland in the lower part of the valley.
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Chapter 6: What miraculous events occur during the battle?
There must be more than ten thousand men over there. Maybe more. Go, both of you. Make sure that our men are getting rest. I want no festivities. They have been marching hard, and we must be at full strength to fight in the morning.
We will.
You? No. I need to pray. Spare some prayer for me, my king. Count on it, my brother. Carpenter's son, this is foolishness. Ten thousand? And yet, I cannot turn away from this. You have given yourself to my people, carpenter's son. The chapels I saw being built, the little acts of kindness between neighbors, the little children learning their daily prayers. My Norway!
Glory was never meant to be of this world. This is what my glory has led to. Tomorrow, I will go to do your will. Your will be done, woodworker, not mine. I care not for my glory anymore. Let it all be yours. Amen.
And may the Lord keep you safe in this time of trial. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Men of Norway, heed my words. The men who face us today in battle are our countrymen, our brothers. Pray for them, for they have chosen to fight for a lie. The pagan gods of the old ways keep Norway fractured and dark. Christ brings light! Be clean and swift with your swords and spears. We fight for the soul of Norway herself.
We will attack full force, for our only hope of victory is to press through their great numbers and defeat their center. I will not leave this battlefield until we are victorious, or I am slain. This battle is to be a hallowed place for me.
Now, men of Norway, are you prepared? Forward! Forward! Men of Christ! Men of the Cross! Men of the King! Forward! Forward! Men of Christ!
Men of the Cross! Men of the King!
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Chapter 7: How does Olaf's death affect his followers and the future of Norway?
Now die! Get away from him! Back! Bjorn! Get up! Get up! Feel the might of my spear, Bjorn Frodi's son! Bjorn!
No! You are here, Carpenter's son. Norway is yours. Death!
Pull off! No! No!
Your glory, Carpenter. Your glory. Your glory, Jesus. I give my spirit.
You shouldn't have done that. You shouldn't have taken that spear from me. You're the king, Olaf! My king!
And so dies the false king! Finish them off, then! Finish them off! No, Olaf! My king! My brother! Olaf! No! My brother! My brother! Olaf, the battle is done, and I come to pay my respects. You had a warrior's death. You fought bravely, like a true Viking. I will lay my cloak over you before I leave you, to show my respect. You were a fine enemy, Haraldson. I have your blood on my hands.
What is this? My hand. It's healed. The king's blood healed my wound. What? This is impossible. This is impossible. Oh. Oh no! He was telling the truth? Odin has never given me boons like this! Olaf, you... His god is the one true god? How? How? This Christian god is the true god! There is no other way. You just now realize this? Bjorn Frodeysen, you are alive. I was a fool, Frodeysen.
A blind and helpless fool. I have just slain the true king of Norway. Never before have I seen anything like this. The blood of the king in my healed hand witnessed this. Oh, what have I done?
Thorirund, I should kill you where you stand. I should gut you and slice you and...
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Chapter 8: What legacy does Olaf leave behind as a saint and king?
Bjorn, I'm sorry. Move.
You say his wound closed itself the moment it was covered in Olaf's blood? By my own two eyes, Bishop. I promise. This does indeed have the makings of a miracle. A miracle for an enemy, no less.
Masters! Masters!
You're the farmer whose barley we marched through some weeks ago.
Yes, master. You came through here with a great army. Are you well, old-timer? It's my crops, master. I have just had the best harvest of my life, in spite of my crop being ruined. Your lord was right. It's a miracle. Good heavens!
Just like you, bear cub. The moment you die and join our Lord in heaven, you start throwing out miracles like hotbreads. That's our king! Amen.
Good people of Norway, it has been one year since the death of our beloved King Olaf and we have all seen his miracles. Sight has been returned to the blind, disasters averted, men and women pulled back from death's door. No more will the sword be used to bring Norway to Christ, for Christ himself reaches down to us through the merciful sacrifice of our King.
Ah, you good souls, bring your children to be baptized by the hundreds as the glory of Christ is put on full display by our King. He died so that Christ may live in you. Today, we petition the Holy Father to raise our King, Olaf Haraldsson, to the church's holy altars. Let the entire church call him what we know him to be. Saint Olaf, Eternal King of Norway!
Saint Olaf, Eternal King of Norway!
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