View source for Olof Skötkonung

{{Short description|King of Sweden from c. 995 to 1022}}
{{Infobox royalty
| image        = Olaf Scotking of Sweden coin c 1030.jpg
| caption      = Coin minted for King Olof in [[Sigtuna]]
| reign        = c. 995–1022
| coronation   = 
| othertitles  = 
| succession   = [[List_of_Swedish_monarchs|King of Sweden]]
| predecessor  = [[Erik the Victorious]]
| successor    = [[Anund Jacob]]
| spouse       = [[Estrid of the Obotrites]]
| issue        = {{plainlist|
*[[Anund Jacob, King of Sweden]]
*[[Ingegerd Olofsdotter of Sweden|Ingegerd, Grand Princess of Kiev]]
*Illegitimate:<br/>[[Emund the Old]]
*[[Astrid, Queen of Norway]]}}
| house        = [[House of Munsö|Munsö]]
| dynasty      = 
| royal anthem = 
| father       = [[Erik the Victorious]]
| mother       = [[Sigríð Storråda]]/[[Świętosława]]?
| birth_date   = c. 980
| birth_place  = 
| death_date   = {{death year and age|1022|980}}
| death_place  = 
| date of burial = 
| place of burial = 
| religion     = {{plainlist|
*[[Chalcedonian Christianity]]
*previously [[Norse paganism]]}}
}}
'''Olof Skötkonung''', ({{langx|non|Óláfr skautkonungr}}; {{Circa|980}}–1022) sometimes stylized as '''Olaf the Swede''', was [[King of Sweden]], son of [[Eric the Victorious]] and, according to Icelandic sources, [[Sigrid the Haughty]]. He succeeded his father in c. 995. He stands at the threshold of recorded history, since he is the first Swedish ruler about whom there is substantial knowledge.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Bagge|first=Sverre|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NFJNAgAAQBAJ|title=Cross and Scepter: The Rise of the Scandinavian Kingdoms from the Vikings to the Reformation|date=2014|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-5010-5|pages=55|language=en}}</ref> He is regarded as the first king known to have ruled both the [[Swedes (Germanic tribe)|Swedes]] and the [[Geats]], and the first king in Sweden to have minted coins. In Sweden, the reign of Olof Skötkonung is considered to mark the transition from the [[Viking Age]] to the Middle Ages. He was the first Christian king in central Sweden. Norse beliefs persisted in parts of [[Sweden]] until the 12–13th century,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sweden.se/society/10-fundamentals-of-religion-in-sweden/ |title=Religion in Sweden |date=2 September 2014}}</ref> with some keeping the tradition into modern times.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://popularhistoria.se/religion/nar-dog-asatron-i-skandinavien-ut |title=När dog asatron i Skandinavien ut? |date=24 June 2017 }}</ref>

Olof and the Danish king [[Sweyn Forkbeard]] formed an alliance and defeated the Norwegian king [[Olaf Tryggvason]] in the [[Battle of Svolder]] in 999 or 1000. After the battle, the victorious leaders split Norway into areas of control. [[Heimskringla]] gives a detailed account of the division. Olof received four districts in Trondheim as well as Møre, Romsdal and Rånrike.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sweyn-I#ref184129|title=Sweyn I {{pipe}} king of Denmark and England|date=10 April 2024 }}</ref>

==Etymology==
One of many explanations for the name ''Skötkonung'' is that it is derived from the Swedish word "skatt", which can mean either "taxes" or "treasure". The latter meaning has been interpreted as "tributary king" and one English scholar speculates about a tributary relationship to the Danish king [[Sweyn Forkbeard]], who was his stepfather.<ref>Peter Sawyer, ''The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings''. Oxford University Press, 1997. {{ISBN|0-19-285434-8}}, p.169.</ref> That explanation, however, is not supported by evidence or historical sources. Another possible explanation of the name refers to the fact that he was the first Swedish king to mint coins.<ref>Myntkabinettet: [http://www.myntkabinettet.se/web/Olof_skotkonung.aspx Olof Skötkonung] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721214716/http://www.myntkabinettet.se/web/Olof_skotkonung.aspx |date=2011-07-21 }}</ref> An ancient land ownership ceremony which placed a parcel of earth in someone's ''lap'' (Swedish: ''sköte'') was called ''scotting'' and may have been involved in this epithet.<ref>Lagerqvist & Åberg in ''Öknamn och tillnamn på nordiska stormän och kungligheter'' {{ISBN|91-87064-21-9}} p. 23</ref>

The Old Norse "Óláfr sœnski" means "Olaf the Swedish", an epithet used to distinguish him from the Norwegian kings [[Olaf Tryggvasson]] and [[Olaf II of Norway|Olaf Haraldsson]].

==Life==
General knowledge of Olof's life is mostly based on [[Snorri Sturluson]]'s and [[Adam of Bremen]]'s accounts, which have been subject to criticism from some scholars. The eldest account by the German ecclesiastic chronicler Adam of Bremen (c. 1075), relates that Sweyn Forkbeard was expelled from his Danish realm by the Swedish King Eric the Victorious in the late 10th century. When Eric died (c. 995), Sweyn returned and regained his kingdom, marrying Eric's widow. Meanwhile, however, Olof had succeeded his father Eric, gathered an army, and launched a surprise attack against Sweyn. The Danish king was once again expelled while Olof occupied his lands. After this, however, the conflict was resolved. Since Sweyn had married Olof's mother, he was reinstated on the Danish throne and the two kings were thereafter allies.<ref>Adam av Bremen, ''Historien om Hamburgerstiftet och dess biskopar''. Stockholm: Proprius, 1984, p. 91 (Book II, Chapter 39).</ref> Snorri Sturluson (c. 1230) and the other Icelandic saga writers likewise say that Sweyn married Olof's mother after the death of Eric the Victorious, but without mentioning any conflict. Also, Snorri describes Sweyn and Olof as equal allies when they defeated the Norwegian king [[Olav Tryggvason]] in the [[battle of Svolder]] in 1000, and thereafter divided Norway between themselves (see below).<ref>Snorre Sturluson, ''Nordiska kungasagor''. Vol. I. Stockholm: Fabel, 1991, pp.. 180, 283, 289.</ref> It is commonly believed that Adam's account about Sweyn's defeats at the hands of Eric and Olof is partial and might have been misinterpreted; the marriage to Olof's mother may in fact have sealed Sweyn's senior position.<ref>Maja Hagerman, ''Spåren av kungens män''. Stockholm: Rabén Prisma, 1996.</ref>
[[Image:Stadshuset Olof Skötkonung.jpg|thumb|250px|Olof Skötkonung as imagined by Ansgar Almquist in the 1920s, statue at [[Stockholm City Hall]].]]

===Viking expedition to Wendland===
According to Snorri, Olof Skötkonung led a Viking expedition to [[Lüchow-Dannenberg|Wendland]] early in his reign. He captured [[Edla]], the daughter of a Wendish chieftain, and kept her as mistress. She gave him the son [[Emund the Old|Emund]] (who was to become king of Sweden), and the daughters [[Astrid Olofsdotter|Astrid]] (later wife of [[Olaf II of Norway]]) and Holmfrid (married to Sven Jarl of Norway).<ref>Snorre Sturluson, ''Nordiska kungasagor''. Vol. II. Stockholm: Fabel, 1992, p. 107 (Olav den heliges saga, Chapter 88).</ref> He later married [[Estrid of the Obotrites]], and they had a son, [[Anund Jacob]], and a daughter, [[Ingegerd Olofsdotter]].<ref>Adam av Bremen, ''Historien om Hamburgerstiftet och dess biskopar''. Stockholm: Proprius, 1984, p. 91 (Book II, Chapter 39).</ref>

===Alliance with Sweyn Forkbeard===
While Adam of Bremen praises Olof as a good Christian, Icelandic authors paint an unfavourable picture of the king as haughty and prickly. Olof is said to have preferred royal [[sport]]s to war, which may explain the ease with which [[Sweyn Forkbeard]] retook the Danish lands Olof's father Eric had conquered.<ref>Adam av Bremen, ''Historien om Hamburgerstiftet och dess biskopar''. Stockholm: Proprius, 1984, p. 86 (Book II, Chapter 30).</ref> Olof may also have lost the right to tribute which his predecessors had preserved in what is now [[Estonia]] and [[Latvia]].

In 1000, he joined forces with Sweyn Forkbeard and with the Norwegian [[Jarl (title)|Jarls]] [[Eiríkr Hákonarson|Eric]] and [[Sveinn Hákonarson|Sven]], against the Norwegian King [[Olaf Tryggvason]]. The circumstances have been much debated in modern historical research, but a contemporary poem confirms that Eric Jarl gathered auxiliaries in Sweden: "The belligerent jarl / gathered much manpower / in [[Svithiod]], the chief went / southward to the battle."<ref>Snorre Sturluson, ''Nordiska kungasagor''. Vol. I. Stockholm: Fabel, 1991, p. 289.</ref> Olaf Tryggvason was attacked by the allied fleets in the [[Battle of Svolder]], the location of which is uncertain. It may have been either in [[Øresund]] or [[Pomerania]]. Olaf Tryggvason disappeared during the battle and Norway was appropriated by the allied lords. The bulk of the conquests went to Sweyn Forkbeard while Olof gained a part of [[Trøndelag]] as well as modern [[Bohuslän]]. These lands were placed under Sven Jarl, son-in-law of the king.<ref>Snorre Sturluson, ''Nordiska kungasagor''. Vol. I. Stockholm: Fabel, 1991, p. 289 (Olav Tryggvasons saga, chapter 113).</ref>

===Norwegian-Swedish War===
When the Norwegian kingdom was reestablished by [[Olaf II of Norway]] (Olaf the Saint) in 1015, a new war erupted between Norway and Sweden. There is a circumstantial account of this in Snorri Sturluson's work. As he writes, many men in both [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]] tried to reconcile the kings. In 1018, Olof's cousin, the [[earl]] of [[Västergötland]], [[Ragnvald Ulfsson]] and the Norwegian king's emissaries [[Björn Stallare]] and [[Hjalti Skeggiason]] had arrived at the [[Thing (assembly)|thing]] of [[Uppsala]] in an attempt to sway the Swedish king to accept peace and as a warrant marry his daughter [[Ingegerd Olofsdotter]] to the king of Norway. The Swedish king was greatly angered and threatened to banish Ragnvald from his kingdom, but Ragnvald was supported by his foster-father [[Thorgny_Lawspeaker|Thorgny the Lawspeaker]].{{cn|date=July 2024}}

Thorgny delivered a powerful speech in which he reminded the king of the great Viking expeditions in the East that predecessors such as [[Erik Anundsson]] and [[Björn (III) Eriksson|Björn]] had undertaken, without having the hubris not to listen to their men's advice. Thorgny himself had taken part in many successful pillaging expeditions with Olof's father [[Eric the Victorious]] and even Eric had listened to his men. The present king wanted nothing but Norway, which no Swedish king before him had desired. This displeased the Swedish people, who were eager to follow the king on new ventures in the East to win back the kingdoms that paid tribute to his ancestors, but it was the wish of the people that the king make peace with the king of Norway and give him his daughter Ingegerd as queen.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

Thorgny finished his speech by saying: "if you do not desire to do so, we shall assault you and kill you and not brook any more of your warmongering and obstinacy. Our ancestors have done so, who at [[Mula thing]] threw five kings in a well, kings who were too arrogant as you are against us."<ref>Snorre Sturluson, ''Nordiska kungasagor''. Vol. II. Stockholm: Fabel, 1992, pp. 89–95 (Olav den heliges saga, Chapters 72–80).</ref> Upon hearing this, King Olof complied with the demands of the peasantry for the time being.

However, far from keeping his promise Olof married his daughter Ingegerd to [[Yaroslav I the Wise]] instead. When Olaf of Norway heard about the arrangement he was furious and intent on attacking Olof Skötkonung. However, the [[Geatish]] jarl [[Ragnvald Ulfsson]], colluding with Olaf II's skald [[Sigvat Thordarson]], managed to avert the impending war. Olof's other daughter [[Astrid Olofsdotter of Sweden|Astrid]] stayed with Ragnvald at the time, and it was agreed that she would take Ingegerd's place. Unbeknownst to Olof, she traveled to Norway and married Olaf II. That happened c. 1019.<ref>[[Carl L. Thunberg|Thunberg, Carl L.]], ''Att tolka Svitjod'' [''To interpret Svitjod'']. Göteborgs universitet, 2012, pp. 35-36.</ref> Olof Skötkonung was highly upset, but soon ran into trouble at home. Both the Swedes and Geats were displeased with the self-willed rule of the king. The [[lawspeaker]] of [[Västergötland]], Emund, traveled to [[Uppsala|Gamla Uppsala]] and spoke to Olof's councilors, and a settlement was made. Olof agreed to share his power with his son [[Anund Jacob]] who was 10 or 12 years at the time. Olof was also forced to accept a settlement with Olaf II of Norway at [[Kungahälla]].<ref>Snorre Sturluson, ''Nordiska kungasagor''. Vol. II. Stockholm: Fabel, 1992, pp. 108–228 (Olav den heliges saga, Chapters 88–94).</ref> The veracity of Snorri Sturluson's account of Olof Skötkonung, written more than two centuries later, is difficult to assess; however, he quotes several probably genuine scaldic verses which allude to some of the related events.

One result of the hostilities between Olof Skötkonung and Olaf of Norway was, according to Snorri Sturluson, that the people of [[Jämtland]] and [[Hälsingland]] came under the Swedish rather than Norwegian king. Previously the Jämtlanders and part of the Hälsinglanders had adhered to Norway since the days of [[Hakon the Good]].<ref>Snorre Sturluson, ''Nordiska kungasagor''. Vol. II. Stockholm: Fabel, 1992, p. 204 (Olav den heliges saga, Chapter 137).</ref> The veracity of this is not known, but the medieval provincial laws of Jämtland show Swedish influences, and there are indications that Christianity arrived from Central Sweden in the 11th century.<ref>Erik Gunnes (1976), ''Norges historie. Bind 2''. Oslo: Cappelen, p. 340.</ref> Jämtland reverted to the Norwegian king in 1111, while Hälsingland was henceforth under Sweden.<ref>P.A. Munch, ''Det norske Folks historie. Anden Deel''. Christiania: Tonsbergs, 1855, p. 596–7.</ref>

===Diplomacy===
Olof's ally Sweyn Forkbeard occupied [[England]] in 1013, but died shortly afterwards, and the Anglo-Saxon ruler [[Æthelred the Unready]] was able to return. According to Adam of Bremen, "the son of the king, [[Cnut]], returned home with the army and prepared a new war against the English. Olav [II], whom the Norwegians had chosen as their commander, now separated from the Danish kingdom. Cnut, who felt threatened from two directions, then entered an alliance with his brother Olof Eriksson who ruled in Sweden, and planned to take power in England, and then in Norway,  with his assistance. Equipped with a thousand large ships, Cnut thus traversed the British Sea".<ref>Adam av Bremen, ''Historien om Hamburgerstiftet och dess biskopar''. Stockholm: Proprius, 1984, p. 99 (Book II, Chapter 52).</ref> From Swedish rune stones it also appears that many people joined the Danish Viking expeditions of the early 11th century. After [[Cnut the Great]] became [[King of England]] in 1016, he sent the two sons of the deceased King [[Edmund Ironside]] to Olof (who was either Canute's half-brother or stepbrother), supposedly with instructions to have the children murdered. Instead of having them killed, the two boys were secretly sent either to [[Kiev]],<ref>Anderson and Onslow both say Hungary</ref> where Olof's daughter [[Ingigerd Olofsdotter|Ingigerd]] was the Queen, or to Poland, where Canute's uncle [[Bolesław I Chrobry]] was duke.<ref> MichaelAnne Guido and John P. Ravilious, "From Theophanu to St. Margaret of Scotland: A study of Agatha's ancestry", Foundations, vol. 4, 2012, pp. 81–121.</ref>

===Christian King===
Included in the [[Westrogothic law]] from c. 1240 is the first brief Swedish chronicle, which begins with Olof Skötkonung. It relates that Olof was baptized in [[Husaby]] in [[Västergötland]] by the missionary [[Sigfrid of Sweden|Sigfrid]], and made generous donations on spot.<ref>Quoted in Mats G. Larsson, ''Götarnas riken: Upptäcktsfärder till Sveriges enande''. Stockholm: Atlantis, 2002, p. 185.</ref> At Husaby parish church, there is a sign commemorating his baptism; nearby is a well thought to be the same sacred spring where Olof was baptized.

He was the first Swedish king to remain a Christian until his death. However, the circumstances about his baptism are not clear. A document from 1008 says that a certain bishop, dispatched by Archbishop [[Bruno of Querfurt]], visited the Suigi tribe and managed to baptize the king, whose queen was already Christian. One thousand people and seven communities followed his example. The Suigi have sometimes been identified as the Swedes, though this has been rejected by several other scholars.<ref>Wladyslaw Duszko, "Ett kungligt dop: Olof skötkonung och Bruno av Querfurt Kring ett aktualiserat problem i svensk historieskrivning", ''Fornvännen'' 103, 2008, p. 286. [http://samla.raa.se/xmlui/bitstream/handle/raa/3195/2008_283.pdf?sequence=1]</ref> On the other hand, Olof's coinage (see below) indicates that he was a Christian already at the time of his accession in c. 995.<ref>Jan Arvid Hellström, ''Vägar till Sveriges kristnande''. Stockholm: Atlantis, 1996, p. 245.</ref>

According to [[Adam of Bremen]], Olof planned to tear down the [[Uppsala temple]], which was allegedly an important cult centre.<ref>Its existence is debated; see Jan Arvid Hellström, ''Vägar till Sveriges kristnande''. Stockholm: Atlantis, 1996, pp. 214, 232.</ref> The fact that a large part of the Swedes were still pagan forced him to abandon this aim. The pagans made an agreement with Olof to the effect that he, if he wished to be a Christian, must exercise his royal authority in a province of his choice. If he founded a church, he was not supposed to force anyone to convert. Olof was content with this and installed a bishopric in the province of Västergötland, closer to Denmark and Norway. On the wishes of Olof, the Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen anointed Thurgot as the first Bishop in [[Skara]]. This Thurgot was successful in disseminating Christianity among the West Geats and east Geats.<ref>Adam av Bremen, ''Historien om Hamburgerstiftet och dess biskopar''. Stockholm: Proprius, 1984, pp. 102–3 (Book II, chapter 58).</ref>

The legend of St. [[Sigfrid]], known since the 13th century, relates that the still pagan Olof called in the English [[Archbishop of York]], Sigfrid, to teach the new faith in his realm. On his way, Sigfrid and his three nephews came to [[Värend]] in southern [[Småland]] where the twelve local tribes endorsed Christianity at a [[Thing (assembly)|Thing]]. Sigfrid left his nephews to tend matters in Värend and proceeded to Olof's court where the king and his family were baptised. Meanwhile, a heathen reaction in Värend cost the lives of the nephews, whose heads were sunk in the [[Växjö Lake]]. Hearing about this, Sigfrid returned to Värend where the heads were discovered through a miracle. King Olof then appeared in Värend with a force, punished the murderers, and forced the locals to yield properties to the Church. Whether the legend reflects the expansion of Olof's realm to the south is unsure. The account seems to incorporate various elements in order to legitimise the establishment of the Bishopric of [[Växjö]] in c. 1170.<ref>Lars-Olof Larsson, "Sigfrid", ''Svenskt biografiskt lexikon'' [https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=5906]</ref> It is nevertheless known from Adam of Bremen that an English missionary called Sigfrid preached among the Swedes and Geats in the first half of the 11th century.<ref>Adam av Bremen (1984), p. 102 (Book II, Chapter 57), 106 (Book II, Chapter 64).</ref>

==Coinage and extent of the realm==

Olof Skötkonung is the first king in Sweden known to have [[Mint (facility)|minted]] coins, of which a few hundred are extant and serve as contemporary source material about his reign. His son and successor [[Anund Jacob]] also minted coins, but after him the practice stopped, and the next coins minted in Sweden are by [[Knut Eriksson]] in late 12th century.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gillingstam |first=Hans |date=1992–1994 |title=Olof "skötkonung" |url=https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=7749 |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Svenskt Biografiskt Lexikon}}</ref> 

When he stamped coins in [[Sigtuna]] in the province of [[Uppland]] Olof used the word ''rex'' for ''king''{{Endash}}''OLUF REX'' as in the coin displayed above or ''OLAF REX''. The use of Latin seems to suggest that he was already baptised at this time but on the other hand the coins were imitating English pennies in type and style. Sigtuna is written ''SITUN'', ''ZINT'' (in the coin above), ''ZTNETEI'', or ''SIDEI''. The two last have been deciphered as ''Si(gtuna) Dei'' meaning ''God's Sigtuna''.<ref>Thunmark-Nylén, Lena et al. (1981). ''Vikingatidens ABC'', Statens historiska museum, 1981. {{ISBN|91-7192-490-6}}, p.232.</ref><ref>Maiander, Harry et al. (1947). ''Sveriges historia genom tiderna. Första delen.'' Stockholm, 1947. p.159.</ref> The earliest of Olof's coins merely depict him as "King in Sigtuna", while the later ones have "King of the Swedes". 

It has been suggested that this change in nomenclature relates to a widening of Olof's base of power around 1000. Sigtuna may be understood as the area in Uppland ruled from the town of this name, while rulership over the Swedes may indicate a more extensive realm. Contemporary scaldic poetry indicates Olof as the ruler of the Swedes as well as the [[Geats]] ([[Götar]]), and the same goes for the account of Adam of Bremen.<ref>Ros, Jonas (2002) "Sigtuna och folklanden; den tidiga Sigtunamyntningen och den politiska geografin", ''Fornvännen'' 97:3, p. 170 [http://samla.raa.se/xmlui/bitstream/handle/raa/3025/2002_161.pdf]</ref> The exact nature of the relation between the Swedes and Geats, and the process by which a unified kingdom was created, has been intensively debated. While the unification has traditionally been thought to depart from the provinces around lake [[Mälaren]] some scholars hold that the Geatic provinces were leading the process, and that the construction of a Swedish kingdom was a long process that was only concluded in the 13th century.<ref>Dick Harrison, ''Sveriges historia. 600–1350''. Stockholm: Norstedts, 2009, pp. 121–4, 273.</ref>

== ''Yngvars saga víðförla'' ==
According to ''[[Yngvars saga víðförla]]'' (Ingvar's saga) the [[Semigallians]] are also described as a tributary of Sweden and Olof. That the people of Semigallia paid taxes to Sweden and Olof. But that due to rebellion payment had ceased. Olof sent a Swedish force led by Ingvar and subdued the rebellious Semigallian chieftains in war.<ref> https://web.archive.org/web/20110726051430/http://www.oe.eclipse.co.uk/nom/Yngvar.htm Chapter 4. Yngvar Demanded Tribute</ref>{{Secondary source needed|date=July 2024}}
	
According to Snorri Sturlasson, several countries in the East paid tribute to the Swedes. In the Olaf saga{{Clarify|reason=which one|date=July 2024}} Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and all the countries longer inland paid tribute to Sweden as tributaries or client state. Several of these client states in the Baltic rose up after the regular Swedish military expedition in the Baltics stopped due to the war with Norway. Which could be connected to the uprising of the Semigallians in the Ingvars saga. Whatever dominion or tributary system Sweden had in the east Olaf seem to have lost due to uprisings. In the early 11 century whatever dominion the Swedish king seemed to have had over Aldeigjuborg seemed to have been lost. Even though Olaf received Aldeigjuborg as a dowry by [[Yaroslav]]. Several attempts were made to reclaim Swedish glory in the east receiving Aldegjuborg might have been one of those Swedish efforts. Aldeigjuborg in current Sankt Petersburg seem to have burned in 870s. Which coincides with a much larger presence of Swedish goods all over eastern Europe. The grains cultivated in Sankt Petersburg have the same DNA structure as Swedish grain in Birka indicating a strong Swedish presence in Western Russia. In the 10 century Swedish presence is found in all of Russia and Ukraine. In the late 10 century Aldeigjuborg seemed to have been burned again and the Swedish presence removed as described by Heimskringla indicating that the Slavic and Finnic peoples under Swedish control had rebelled.<ref>The Emergence of Rus 750-1200 - Simon Franklin and Jonathan Shepard
The Saga of Halfdan Eysteinsson - Translated by George L. Hardman
The Saga of Sturlaug the Industrious - Translated by Peter Tunstall
The Varangians - Sverrir Jakobsson
Viking Period workshop in Staraya Ladoga, excavated in 1997 - Anatoliy N. Kirpichnikov
Viking Rus: Studies on the Presence of Scandinavians in Eastern Europe - Wladyslaw Duczko </ref>

==Óláfsdrápa sænska==
The [[Iceland]]ic [[skald]] [[Óttarr svarti]] spent some time at Olof's court and composed the poem ''[[Óláfsdrápa sænska]]'' describing Olof's war expeditions in the east. The poem is interesting, since it gives a view of the reign of Olof: "The warrior guards his land, few kings are as mighty as him; Olof pleases the eagle, the Swedish king is outstanding".<ref>Óláfsdrápa, verse 6 [http://www.heimskringla.no/wiki/%C3%93l%C3%A1fsdr%C3%A1pa_s%C5%93nska_(B1)]</ref> Other skalds who served Olof were [[Gunnlaugr ormstunga]], [[Hrafn Önundarson]] and [[Gizurr svarti]].

==Death==
[[File:Olaf Scotking of Sweden alleged grave 2009 Husaby Götene.jpg|thumb|right|The alleged ''Olaf Grave'' at Husaby Church]]
Judging from Snorri Sturluson's chronology of events, Olof died a natural death in the winter of 1021–1022.<ref>Snorre Sturluson, ''Nordiska kungasagor''. Vol. II. Stockholm: Fabel, 1992, p. 158 (Olav den heliges saga, Chapter 114)</ref> Adam of Bremen asserts that he died at approximately the same time as Cnut the Great (1035), which is certainly too late.<ref>Adam av Bremen, ''Historien om Hamburgerstiftet och dess biskopar''. Stockholm: Proprius, 1984, p. 111 (Book II, chapter 73)</ref>

Claims that he was martyred after refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods are likely due to a mix-up with the king [[Olof (Swedish king 852)|Olof]] from ''[[Vita Ansgari]]'' and [[Olof Trätälja]] from Norse sources.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Den hellige Olof Skötkonung av Sverige (~980-~1022)|url=http://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/olav_sv|access-date=2021-05-31|website=Den katolske kirke|language=no}}</ref>

Since the 1740s, it has been claimed that he was buried in [[Husaby]] in the Christian part of his kingdom, but such identifications are controversial.<ref>Hans Gillingstam, "Olof 'skötkonung'", ''Svenskt biografiskt lexikon'', https://sok.riksarkivet.se/Sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=7749</ref>

==Family==

Olof was the son of [[Eric the Victorious]] (Erik Segersäll) and a woman whose identity is debated. According to Adam of Bremen she was the sister or daughter of [[Boleslaw I Chrobry]] of [[Poland]], but, according to Icelandic sources, she was [[Sigrid the Haughty]] (Sigrid Storråda), a daughter of the Viking chief [[Skoglar Toste]]. Certain sources say that Olof had a brother called Emunde.

With his mistress [[Edla]], daughter of a Slavic chief, he first had three children:
* [[Emund the Old]], King of Sweden in c. 1050–1060
* [[Astrid Olofsdotter of Sweden|Astrid]], d. after 1035, married to [[Olaf II of Norway]] (Olaf the Saint)
* Holmfrid (possibly sister of Olof), married to [[Sweyn Haakonsson|Sven Jarl]] of Norway

With his spouse Queen [[Estrid of the Obotrites|Estrid]] he had two children:
* [[Anund Jacob]], King of Sweden in 1022–c. 1050
* [[Ingegerd Olofsdotter of Sweden|Ingegerd]], d. 1050, married to [[Yaroslav I of Kiev]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category inline||Olof Skötkonung}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[House of Munsö]]||c. 980||1022}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Eric the Victorious]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Swedish monarchs|King of Sweden]]|years=c. 995–1022}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Anund Jacob]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{Monarchs of Sweden}}

{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Olof Skotkonung}}
[[Category:10th-century births]]
[[Category:1022 deaths]]
[[Category:10th-century Swedish monarchs]]
[[Category:11th-century Swedish monarchs]]
[[Category:Converts to Christianity from Germanic paganism]]
[[Category:Sons of kings]]
[[Category:11th-century Swedish people]]
[[Category:Swedish Christian religious leaders]]
[[Category:Leaders ousted by a coup]]
[[Category:Dethroned monarchs]]
[[Category:House of Munsö]]
[[Category:Christian monarchs]]