Trondelag is a region of central Norway with a very rich history. It has seen more than it's share of noteworthy events and finds. It is divided into two counties: Nord (north) Trondelag, and Sor (south) Trondelag.

Stiklestad:

The small village of Stiklestad is located in Nord-Trondelag and in 1030, hosted a battle between the exiled King Olav, and a peasant army supported by the Danish king.

Olaf Haroldsson was the great, great grandchild of Harold Fairhair - the first king to ever unite Norway - and in 1015, after returning home from a Viking expedition, was crowned King Olaf II. Soon after in June of 1016 he defeated the Lades, a group of Earls who had controlled Norway since Fairhair's death.

Many believe that Olaf's success in becoming king was dependent on the fact that the king of Denmark, Canute the Great was distracted by his attempted conquest England. In 1028 however Canute turned his attention to Norway and made an alliance with the Lades, forcing Olaf out of power and into Russia.

Just one year later in 1029, Olaf received word that the last Lade had in fact died, and so he decided to march into Norway and retake it. It is said that Olav marched 3600 men through Sweden and over the mountains in to a valley very close to the city of Trondheim. He met a 7000 man 'peasant' army at Stiklestad on July 29, 1030, and was killed by three fatal wounds on top of which his army lost the battle.

It should be noted that the rock he leaned against as he died was thereafter considered a holy place by Christians, who constructed a church around it in later times.


The death of Olaf II

Many believe Olaf was so widely unpopular because with him, came conversion to the new religion, something that the Pagans of Norway, and further more the Danes who wanted to conquer Norway did not want.

One of the leaders of the resistance against Olaf was Tore Hund, who was described as a devout Pagan, who served as Danish king Canute's representative in Norway.. Norway would not see full conversion for almost another century.

Olaf unified Norway under Christianity by employing the help of English missionary bishops, but it is widely believed that Pagans still practiced in hiding after they were formally converted until at least the mid 1100s, and some say beyond.

For his work in uniting Norway under the flag of Christianity, Olaf was canonized by the Church as Saint Olaf, and today serves as the patron saint of Norway.

Trondheim is a city in Sor- Trondelag formally founded by king Olaf Tryggvason - Olaf I - in 997, and is hailed as the first capitol of Norway. It's name comes from old Norse and means home of the strong and fertile. Trondheim is also home to the Nidaros Cathedral where the remains of King Olaf II now reside after being moved from the Stiklestad Church 100 years after his death. Another interesting fact about Trondheim is that Norwegian kings have been crowned there from before the time it was formally established, to the present.

Carvings & Paintings in Trondelag:

The Trondelag region has been inhabited for thousands of years. Standing proof are 300 stone carvings and paintings dating back as far as the stone age. A place called Bola in Nord - Trondelag is home to one of the oldest stone carvings in Norwegian history, dating back about 5500 years. In 1895, a distinct reindeer, bear, and bird were discovered all carved within the same proximity. Also very close is another carving of a man on what appear to be skis.

The reindeer at Bola. (click)

Trade:

The Trondelag region never saw much trade during the dark ages and medieval times. The closest trade hub was Bergen which is about 200 miles south of Trondheim. If any trade goods were to have come out of the Trondelag area they would have been Timber and Iron.


Modern Trondheim