Olav I Tryggvason, << TRURG vuh son >> (968?-1000?), was a Viking leader who became king of Norway in 995. His names are also spelled Olaf and Trygveson or Tryggvesson. Olav briefly unified much of Norway and began the widespread conversion of the country to Christianity.
Olav was born in what is now southeastern Norway, where his father ruled a small kingdom. But his father was killed, and Olav grew up as an exile in what is now Russia. During the 980’s, Olav led Viking raids against lands along the Baltic seacoast. In the early 990’s, he raided England together with Sweyn Forkbeard, the king of Denmark. In 994, Olav converted to Christianity. He made a separate peace with the English king in return for a large tribute payment and sailed to Norway.
In 995, Olav was proclaimed king in western Norway. He soon expanded his rule to other parts of Norway and brought local leaders under tighter royal control. He also worked to convert his subjects to Christianity.
Olav’s harsh methods angered some Norwegians. His growing power made an enemy of Sweyn Forkbeard, because the Danish king also claimed authority over Norway. In about 1000, Olav died while losing a naval battle to the united forces of Sweyn Forkbeard, some discontented Norwegian earls, and the Swedish king. The two foreign kings and the Norwegian earls divided Olav’s kingdom.
