Olaf Haraldson the Saint's Saga is the longest, the most important, and
the most finished of all the sagas in "Heimskringla". The life of Olaf
will be found treated more or less freely in "Agrip", in "Historia
Norvegiae", in "Thjodrek the Monk", in the legendary saga, and in
"Fagrskinna". Other old Norse literature relating to this epoch:
Are's "Islendingabok", "Landnama", "Kristni Saga", "Biskupa-sogur",
"Njala", "Gunlaugs Saga", "Ormstungu", "Bjarnar Saga Hitdaelakappa",
"Hallfredar Thattr Vandraedaskalde", "Eyrbyggia", "Viga Styrs Saga",
"Laxdaela", "Fostbraedra", "Gretla", "Liosvetninga", "Faereyinga",
"Orkneyinga".
Olaf Haraldson was born 995, went as a viking at the age of twelve,
1007; visited England, one summer and three winters, 1009-1012; in
France two summers and one winter, 1012-1013; spent the winter in
Normandy, 1014; returned to Norway and was recognized as King, April 3,
1015; fled from Norway the winter of 1028-1029; fell at Stiklestad, July
29 (or August 31), 1030.
Skalds quoted in this saga are:--Ottar Svarte, Sigvat Skald, Thord
Kolbeinson, Berse Torfason, Brynjolf, Arnor Jarlaskald, Thord Siarekson,
Harek, Thorarin Loftunga, Halvard Hareksblese, Bjarne Gulbraskald, Jokul
Bardson, Thormod Kolbrunarskald, Gissur, Thorfin Mun, Hofgardaref.
ENDNOTES: (1) King Olaf the Saint reigned from about the year 1015 to
1030. The death of King Olaf Trygvason was in the year
1000: and Earl Eirik held the government for the Danish and
Swedish kings about fifteen years.--L.