Olaf
Olaf, or Olav, the name of five Norwegian kings. Noteworthy are:
Olaf I(969–1000), known as Olaf Trygg-vesson, ruled 995–1000. He was exiled as a youth but later returned and took part in many Viking expeditions. As king, he began the conversion of Norway, Iceland, and Greenland to Christianity. He was killed in a naval battle against the combined Danish and Swedish fleets.
Olaf II,Saint (995–1030), known as Olaf Haraldsson, ruled 1016–28. He completed the conversion of Norway to Christianity and united the country under one monarchy. This unification, however, caused internal dissension, and some Norwegian chieftains allied themselves with King Knut (Canute) the Great of Denmark and England. In 1028 Olaf was forced to flee when Knut came to Norway at the head of a large fleet. Olaf returned in 1030 and was killed in battle against his Norwegian adversaries. Olaf is regarded as a national hero and is the patron saint of Norway. He was declared a saint in 1164.
Olaf V(1903–1991) became king upon the death of his father, Haakon VII, in 1957. He was born in England, the son of Prince Carl of Denmark and Princess Maud of England. When his father was named king of Norway, Olaf, then two years old, became heir apparent. He studied in England and Norway and graduated from the Norwegian War College. In 1929 he married Princess Märtha of Sweden.
During World War II, after Norway was invaded by Germans, Olaf and his father fled to England and from there directed Norway's resistance movement against the Nazis. After the war, because of his father's age, he assumed a greater role in affairs of state. He became regent in 1955.