Olaf Haraldsson, also known as Olaf "the Holy," is the older half-brother of Harald Sigurdsson. He is the Jarl of Ringerike, Norway and the next in line for the throne.
Biography
Early Life
Olaf grew up with his half-brothers Harald and Sten, who share the same mother with him. Olaf is known for his raids of the Baltic Sea, where he slaughtered pagans, especially at Osilia and Herdaler. This earned him the nickname "Sea Wolf." He previously spent time in England as a member of King Æthelred II's Kingsguard.
Season 1
Olaf arrives in Kattegat with his friend Gunnar Magnusson. They had waited out the storm in Riska. As the two greet Harald, they are being watched by the Greenlanders. Freydis identifies that one of the men is the one who attacked her.
Harald brings Olaf and Gunnar to where the King Canute's army is gathered outside Kattegat. He introduces the two. Olaf says that he and Gunnar know about the English defenses in London because they built them for King Æthelred. However, Olaf refuses to join forces with King Canute unless all the pagan tribes agree to convert to Christianity. Canute refuses this. Olaf goes to his own tent where Harald comes to him. Harald tells him that revenge is more important than religion. Harald tells Olaf that they must avenge their other half-brother, Sten, who was murdered by King Æthelred. He reminds him that the two served together in Æthelred's Kingsguard and that Olaf is godfather to Sten's children who were killed in the massacre.
After the successful conquest of London, Olaf imprisons Emma in his old rooms from his time as King Æthelred's advisor. He tells her it was Æthelred who instilled in him his mission to bring Christianity to the North. However, such an undertaking is not cheap and he wants Emma to reveal the location of Æthelred's riches. Emma claims that no such riches exist. Olaf doesn't believe her so has Hallbjorn take Emma's children to try and force her to give up the location.
Olaf joins forces with Jarl Kåre in an alliance to cleanse all of Norway of "heathens" and establish the country under Christianity.
Olaf reveals the plan to conquer Kattegat to Harald. His plan involves a pincer maneuver. Jarl Kåre and the other Christian jarls will attack the walls while he will attack from the sea. During the peace talk organized by Harald, Harald tells Leif and Freydis of Olaf's plan, which leads them to stretch out the defenses of Kattegat. However, Olaf knew Harald would do this and so he told him a false plan. Olaf's true plan is to send a few unmanned ships to come in with the tide to the harbor of Kattegat. Meanwhile, Olaf would let the other jarls storm the undermanned defenses and then when both armies have destroyed each other, his fresh army can sweep in and take out both sides, destroying most of Norway's aristocracy and fighting forces in a single day.
Upon the announcement that Sweyn Forkbeard has arrived in Kattegat, all of Olaf's men flee. As a result, Olaf reluctantly also flees the city.
Season 2
Olaf is captured by King Sweyn Forkbeard and brought to Kattegat. Forkbeard reveals that he is not going to kill Olaf, instead he forces Olaf to be his grandson Svein Knutsson's protector while Forkbeard goes to Denmark to help Canute fight the Wends. To ensure Olaf actually protects Svein, Forkbeard tells Olaf that he will bring Olaf's son Magnus with him.
Gutlag, a Viking messenger, arrives in Kattegat from the east. He is brought by Hallbjörn to Olaf with news of Harald. Gutlag tells Olaf that he saw Harald in Novgorod over a month ago, with Leif, meeting with Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Olaf asks if Gutlag saw Freydis, and the man says he never did. Olaf immediately prepares to journey to Novgorod himself.
Personality
Olaf is ambitious, stern, and unforgiving. He is a fundamentalist Christian. Olaf is self-centered, vain, and only cares about power. He is completely intolerant of pagans. Olaf is passionate, wild, defiant, and determined. He is a dangerous and calculating man.
Relationships
Harald Sigurdsson
Olaf and Harald have a contentious and often-times strained relationship. Both brothers are ambitious, but have different methods of attaining their goals. These methods are often in conflict with one another. Harald seems to be more dedicated to maintaining their relationship. Olaf appears indifferent to Harald's feelings and ambitions.
In History
Olaf is based on Olaf II Haraldsson of Norway. According to history, Olaf's son Magnus was illegitimate, whose mother was a concubine named Alvhild. His son is known as Magnus the Good. Olaf's father is described as a great-great grandchild of Harald Fairhair. The historical Olaf Haraldsson is said to have led Viking expeditions at thirteen years old.
Trivia
- Olaf Haraldsson holds the title of Rex Perpetuus Norvegiae, Latin for "Norway's Eternal King." Technically, all Norwegian monarchs since the 12th century have held Norway as a fief to this long dead king.[1]
- Olaf and Harald are both descendants of Harald Finehair, but not by their shared mother. Instead, they are related to him through their different fathers who are descendants of two of Harald Finehair's sons. Thus, Olaf and Harald are third cousins once removed as well as half-brothers.
- Like in the sagas, Olaf fights with his battle axe, Hel.
Gallery
Appearances
| The Greenlanders | Viking | The Marshes | The Bridge |
| Miracle | The Last Daughter of Uppsala | Choices | The End of the Beginning |
| The Web of Fate | Towers of Faith | Pieces of the Gods | The Thaw |
| Birth and Rebirth | Leap of Faith | Pecheneg | The Reckoning |