In this new theme; From Freyja to Mary, we’ll explore the Christianization of the North. It begins, as stories often do, with kings and men, but will evolve to focus on the roles of women in the religious change.
960 AD, future Denmark.
In a grand longhouse, located in the heart of the Scandinavian wilderness, King Harald sits at the high seat. It is an evening of celebration and the room is filled with voices and laughter. At the center of it all sits King Harald, a respected and feared warrior, whose word always carries great weight.
The people around him are discussing religion, a hot topic in these times. The conversation drifts between the old gods and the new faith that is slowly spreading across the North. The discussions are lively, and many claim that though Christ may well be a god, he cannot compare to Odin, Thor, or Freyja, who can perform greater and mightier miracles. The mead makes them louder and more boisterous, but there is one among them who remains silent, waiting for his moment.
As the debate reaches its peak, the man – a bishop – slowly rises and walks toward the hearth in the middle of the room. A hush falls, and all eyes turn toward him. Right next to the fire lies an iron rod, glowing red with heat.
A collective gasp is heard as the bishop lifts the iron piece with his bare hands. The guests freeze, and some recoil, shocked and terrified.
The bishop holds the glowing iron in his hands, and despite the intense heat, he appears unaffected. There is no pain on his face, no burns on his skin. He holds it long enough for everyone to understand that this is no mere trick, but a miracle – performed by the man’s god – Christ.
King Harald, who has been watching the entire scene with growing fascination, rises. He looks at the bishop with newfound respect and wonder. In this moment, he realizes that the Christian god possesses a power that none of the old gods have shown.
In the smoke and shadow of the hall, King Harald decides to convert to Christianity. A decision that will not only change his own life but the fate of his entire kingdom. With a firm heart and an open mind, he embraces the new faith, and a new era begins for the Nordic people.
This is the story of how the man now known as Harald Bluetooth adopted Christianity. On the famous runestone in Jelling, Harald boasts that he conquered all of Denmark and Norway, and converted the Danes to Christianity.
In Norway, two kings named Olav have been given the honor of having Christianized the country, Olav the first, who was baptized in England in 995, and then began spreading Christianity on his return home. According to legend, his godson, Saint Olav, also Christianized a large part of the country, with the help of the sword.
In Sweden, Olof Skötkonung was the first king to rule both Mälardalen and Västergötland, and he is said to have converted to Christianity and was baptized around the year 1000, according to legend, at Husaby spring.
Thus, it is primarily men who have been credited with turning the Nordic people from the Old Norse faith to Christianity. Kings, who with a mixture of righteousness and military power, converted their subjects to “the true faith.” But how well does that story align with reality?
Find out more in the next post!