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Chapter 1: What historical context sets the stage for Olaf's story?
Norway, 1007 AD. A wild land of glaciers and fjords ruled by warlike chieftains and kings. The faith of the people is as fractious as their leadership, with most practicing the worship of the pagan Norse pantheon, while a few nobles and commoners profess the Christian faith. This is all about to change as a young, petty prince trains for battle.
This is the story of Olaf Haraldsson, king and patron saint of Norway.
The Saints, Adventures of Faith and Courage. Olaf of Norway. Episode one, The Viking Prince. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com.
Bjorn, just because you are battling against the prince does not mean that you treat him lightly. Hit a backhand swing at him. Olaf, cover your side. The other side. Oh, you're lucky these blades are wooden. Bjorn, hit him again. Don't fight like you're on the deck of your own longship. Imagine you're in the enemy's camp, Olaf. Strike like your life depends on it. Just think, Bjorn.
One day we'll be doing this for real. Fighting, raiding, sailing for riches and glory. As a proper king should. Funny to think of you as a king.
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Chapter 2: How does Olaf prepare for his future as a leader?
You're just a petty prince who's about to get my sword in his guts. Oh, nice one, Bjorn. Oh, come on, Olaf. What would your father think of your getting walloped? Show us that the tingly blood of Norway runs in your veins. Come on, bear cub. I bet you can't even touch me. I'll show you how a king fights. Oh, there's one for your guts, featherhead. Well done, Olaf. Thank you.
Bjorn, put up the gear. Olaf, I need your ears. Yes, Rain. You are our prince, lad. But you are just a cub, and a cub cannot lead his pack until he has sharpened his claws and wetted his teeth. Watch me lead. Watch the men fight. See their fury. It is the key to becoming a Viking bear warrior. I will learn, Crane. To the oars, men! Heave! Sweden awaits! Think of the riches we will plunder!
My mother nursed me singing Buy a ship with wood oars Sail out with the Vikings Stand proud at the stern Scar the shores for plunder And in each land you claim Death to our foes Death to our foes My mother nursed me singing, buy a ship with good oars, sail out with the Vikings, stand proud at the stern, scour the shores for plunder, and in each land you play. Ah, Sweden! Oh, bear cub!
This is it! Silence! Berserkers to the front! Swift as wolves, silent as vipers! Move up the beach! Olaf, Bjorn, get down. Below the grass. Yes, sir.
Chapter 3: What internal conflicts does Olaf face as he trains?
Yes, sir. Stand by, men. Who goes there? Now! Death to our foe! It's your traitors! Take up your weapons! Swords! Spears! Anything! Protect your home!
Watch out, Olaf!
Olaf! Behind you! Well done, Prince! Aye! This way! You and I will find the Jarl's house! The Chieftain? Back here, Northfield! Back! What have we here? What's behind your door, Jarl? One more step! I'm warning you! Crane! Let me! Stand back, Olaf! Feel my blade, you pig! You rich rat! You're a dead man! Rain, please! He's mine! Very well, my prince. Give us what lies behind your door, Jarl.
and I will spare your life. This door does not open while I live. Very well.
Strike him, Olaf.
He's weak. He needs a left swing, my prince. Beneath. Please, spare them. My treasures. My family. Defend them. Spare them. Men, use your axes. Open this door. With pleasure. Well fought, my prince. Well fought, Prince Olaf. What say you men? You do your forefathers proud, my prince. Men, gather your goods. We sail upon the hour. Look at all the silver, lads. Oh, my mother will eat well tonight.
Bjorn, something doesn't feel right. Huh? Olaf, you just had your first raid. You killed a Jarl single-handed. This is the beginning of your glory, Bearcub. But look at the men. Yes, they're laughing as they lose. No, look at them more closely. They may be laughing, but watch. Their eyes. All dead. Olaf, you're scaring me, brother. The eyes of the dead.
This is not the glory we're called to, Bjorn. We are Vikings. This was a moment of rage and fire, but it has left me with only the beast in myself. The Jarl I killed. There was something different in his eyes. There was something living there. Say that again, Olaf? There was something living there. Say that again, Olaf? There was something living there. Say that again, Olaf.
There was something living there. Olaf! Olaf!
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Chapter 4: How does Olaf's first battle shape his character?
Did you hear that? Hear what? What just happened? There was... There was a voice. A shadow. The shadow of a... Maybe you were in a berserker trance. Did you see Odin? No, it was... A king of some sort. Pe Christum Dominum Nostrum. Amen. Can we eat now, Olaf? Not yet. You've been to many a Christian feast before, Bjorn. We've been sailing and fighting together for seven years, bear cub.
I can't remember the customs of all these kingdoms. Well, tonight we're in England, where it's customary to wait for the king to start the feast. Everyone! Tonight, we honor our guests. Without them, we could never have hoped to reclaim this English throne from the Danish invaders. Please, raise your cups to Prince Olaf Haraldsson and Bjorn, his warrior in arms. Hail! God bless English mutton.
Prince Olaf. King Æthelred. To think that to save England from the Vikings of Denmark, we would find our aid in the Vikings of Norway. Thank your God that you had the gold to afford this, Prince. King Ethelred? I thank him daily for bringing us Olaf and driving the Danes out of England. Ah, truly, it was an honor to fight by your sides.
By the wood of the cross, I've never felt a greater rush in battle than when you caught that spear aimed at me, Bjorn. You flatter me, Lord Aethelred. Why, you yourself took on four Danes at once. Two, maybe, and I was on horseback. You should have seen him, boys, charging down six Danes, a sword in both hands, an axe in his teeth. Bjorn. No, no, no, no, no. No, let him continue.
This is a version of the fight I prefer. A spear in both hands, his horse breathing fire. Is that truly how it was, Prince Olaf? Prince Olaf, are you well? I'm yes, Bishop. That tapestry on the wall... It's magnificent. Ah, yes. We've been given the privilege of viewing it before it is installed in the abbey tomorrow. It pictures a king. It is Christ in majesty, Prince Olaf.
Seated on the heavenly throne, Christ is ruler of all. Jesus Christ? Well, I've heard he is just a woodworker, a carpenter's son. That is true as well. You would not be impressed with so humble a calling, Prince Olaf? A calling? Your role in this life. You men of Norway would probably think of it as the way that you pursue your glory. Bishop, my calling to glory is well known to me.
Yes, but beyond the glory of battle? You are a prince. Do you feel a desire for unity among the Norwegian people? After all, each region worships different gods. Odin here, Thor there, the sprites in the woods. Yes, yes, Bishop. My people are fierce, independent, and fractured. We will sooner fight each other over our gods as tear down the man who raises the price of ale.
So how do you propose I unite nine petty kingdoms? Look to the tapestry. You see the way the world is pictured at his feet? Christ could unite your people, Prince Olaf. He himself prayed that all might be one. My people will have no taste for your God, Bishop. His meek heart is not for us. Vikings are wolves, not sheep. A wolf can remain a petty king and drink deep of petty glories.
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Chapter 5: What role does faith play in Olaf's journey?
But mark my words, he who shirks the call of the heavenly king will wither like the cursed fig tree. You overstep, Bishop Grimkettle. I'm a Norse warrior. I do not follow the son of a carpenter. Of course, you may follow whatever gut you claim. There is only one who can see your purpose fulfilled. I've never relied on gods for anything, Bishop. Good night. Olaf, where are you going?
They're serving sweetmeats. There was something living there. Olaf Haraldsson. Hello? Who's there? Olaf Haraldsson. Yes? Who are you? Come out of the darkness! Olaf Haraldsson. Oh, by the gods. What do you want with me? Olaf Haraldsson. Soon, your warpath will end, and you can return to your country. There, you will be crowned king of all the kingdoms in Norway until the end of time. What?
Wait! Wait! Who are you? How am I... The people of Norway will never unite? Wait! Whoa! Easy there, Olaf. Were you talking to someone? The Shadowy King...
Hi, this is Peter Atkinson from The Mary Beggars. Tune in to Episode 2, The Viking and the Waters, to hear the next installment of St. Olaf of Norway. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com.
The Mary Beggars is the entertainment division of Relevant Radio.
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