Which Norwegian king was canonized as Saint Olaf?

The Norwegian king canonized as Saint Olaf was Olaf Haraldsson, also known as Olaf II or Olaf the Holy. He ruled Norway from 1015 to 1028 and became one of Scandinavia’s most important royal saints.

Olaf spent part of his youth as a Viking raider before converting to Christianity. After claiming the Norwegian throne, he worked to strengthen royal authority and promote Christian institutions. His efforts met resistance from local rulers and powerful nobles, especially as Danish influence expanded under Cnut the Great. Olaf was driven from Norway but later returned to reclaim his kingdom.

He was killed at the Battle of Stiklestad on 29 July 1030. After his death, stories of miracles quickly developed around his body, and Bishop Grimketel proclaimed him a saint at Nidaros, modern Trondheim, in 1031. His remains were later enshrined at Nidaros Cathedral.

Olaf Tryggvason was another Christianizing Norwegian king, but he lived earlier and was not the king remembered as Saint Olaf. Magnus the Good was Olaf Haraldsson’s son and successor, not the saint himself.