The Grand Cross of St. Olav * "Storkorset av Sankt Olavs Orden"
A Reward for Distinguished Services Rendered to Country and Mankind
The Royal Palace in Oslo with the King's Guard. The reigning Monarch is the Grand Master of the Order of St. Olav.
Click on image to go to the Index of Saints and Saint Olav.
St.Olav - the Holy King with a reputation and place in history unchallenged by any other Norwegian King for the last 1000 years
St.Olav refers to the martyred Viking King of Norway, Olav Haraldsen (995-1030 A.D.), who after his death at the battle of Stiklestad on July 29, 1030 A.D. gained a reputation and place in history unchallenged for 1000 years by any other Norwegian King. St. Olav united Norway as a kingdom and introduced the Christian faith. For centuries St. Olav has constituted a uniting force in Norway and is often referred to as ”Rex Perpetuus Norwegia” – Norway's Eternal King. Pilgrims and visitors have for centuries visited the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim where St. Olav is buried, the battlefield of Stiklestad and St. Olav churches in other countries. Also known as Olaf Haraldson; Olaf Haraldsson; Olaf of Norway; Olaus; Olav II; Olav of Norway; Olav the Thick; Olavs; Tola and St. Olav.
To the left: The story of St. Olav the Viking King "Rex Perpetuus Norwegia" Norway's Eternal King. St. Olav died at the battle of Stiklestad in 1030 A.D. and was canonized in 1164 A.D.
The History of St. Olav Haraldson
Martyr and King of Norway (1015-30), b. 995; d. July 29, 1030. He was son of King Harald Grenske of Norway. According to the Saga Author Snorre, the King was baptized in 998 in Norway, but more probably about 1010 in Rouen, France, by Archbishop Robert. In his early youth he went as a viking to England, where he partook in many battles and became earnestly interested in Christianity.
Christianity in Norway.London, 994 A.D. Kneeling at the baptismal font is Olav Tryggvason, a Norwegian-born Viking. Twice, he and his men have conquered Southeast England, and twice King Ethelred of England had to pay a huge ransom to get the Vikings to return their spoils. But now Olav Tryggvason has become a Christian - the English have finally been freed from the Viking raids. According to the saga: Olav Tryggvason returned to Norway and an extensive and difficult quest awaited him, to convert the extended and sparsely populated country to the Christian faith.
After many difficulties he was elected King of Norway, and made it his object to extirpate heathenism and make the Christian religion the basis of his kingdom. He is the great Norwegian legislator for the Church, and like his ancestor (Olav Trygvason), made frequent severe attacks on the old faith and customs, demolishing the temples and building Christian churches in their place. He brought many bishops and priests from England, as King Saint Cnut later did to Denmark. Some few are known by name (Grimkel, Sigfrid, Rudolf, Bernhard). He seems on the whole to have taken the Anglo-Saxon conditions as a model for the ecclesiastical organization of his kingdom. But at last the exasperation against him got so strong that the mighty clans rose in rebellion against him and applied to King Cnut of Denmark and England for help. This was willingly given, whereupon Olav was expelled and Cnut elected King of Norway. It must be remembered that the resentment against Olav was due not alone to his Christianity, but also in a high degree to his unflinching struggle against the old constitution of shires and for the unity of Norway. He is thus regarded by the Norwegians of our days as the great champion of national independence, and Catholic and Protestant alike may find in Saint Olav their great idea.
After two years' exile he returned to Norway with an army and met his rebellious subjects at Stiklestad, where the celebrated battle took place July 29, 1030. Neither King Cnut nor the Danes took part at that battle. King Olav fought with great courage, but was mortally wounded and fell on the battlefield, praying "God help me". Many miraculous occurrences are related in connection with his death and his disinterment a year later, after belief in his sanctity had spread widely. His friends, Bishop Grimkel and Earl Einar Tambeskjelver, laid the corpse in a coffin and set it on the high-altar in the church of St. Clement in Nidaros (now Trondhjem). Olav has since been held as a saint, not only by the people of Norway, but also by Rome. His cult spread widely in the Middle Ages, not only in Norway, but also in Denmark and Sweden; even in London, there is on Hart Street a St. Olave's Church, long dedicated to the canonized King of Norway. In 1856 a fine St. Olave's Church was erected in Christiania, the capital of Norway, where a large relic of St. Olav (a donation from the Danish Royal Museum) is preserved and venerated. The arms of Norway are a lion with the battle-axe of St. Olav in the forepawns.
St. Olav in Rome, Italy - The Chapel of St Olav of Norway. In the Italian church, a Chapel of St Olav of Norway, dedicated to the martyr king who was slain in the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030. The chapel was inaugurated by Lucido Maria Cardinal Parocchi on April 9th 1893, on the 50th anniversary of the first Mass celebrated legally in Norway since the Reformation. The St. Olav painting is located at the San Carlo al Corso (Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso), St Charles at the Corso (Sts Ambrose and Charles at the Corso), 437 Via del Corso, 00186, Roma. A church on Via del Corso in Rome, Italy. The painting is by the Polish artist Pius Wleonski, and depicts the king's victory over his own past, represented by a dragon - since he was a viking in his youth, before he became a Christian. It was a gift for Pope Leo XIII for the 50th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. Bishop Fallize of Norway asked that it be placed in this church, where an altar had been set aside. It was presented to the Holy Father on March 3rd 1893 by Baron Wedel Jarlsberg. The Holy Father supported the idea of a Norwegian chapel in Rome, and the painting was placed here. A smaller picture on the altar shows St Anne and her daughter, the Blessed Virgin. St Anne was a very popular saint in pre-Reformation Norway. The relics of a Roman martyr are interred in the altar. We known nothing about him except his name, St Saturninus. The chapel was restored, and it was reinaugurated by Bishop Gran in 1980. The inititive for this restoration came from Cecilie "Ciss" Riber-Mohn (who was not herself a Catholic, and who sadly passed away in 1978, before the restoration was complete), Olga Térése "Olgese" Mowinckel Ringler and her Italian husband Andrea Ringler. Rieber-Mohn had also preserved the chapel in the 1960's, when there was talk about using it for other purposes. Mass is celebrated in Norwegian at Christmas and on May 17th (Constitution Day), and many Norwegian ex-patriates, including non-Catholic, take part. Requiem masses are celebrated for Norwegians with connections to Rome. Norwegian pilgrim groups can make an appointment to celebrate Mass here, and at times tourist groups come here for ecumenical services. In Rome, there are almost one thousand churches, each one with several works of art and almost three hundred fountains. Via del Corso is a busy avenue in the center of Rome.
St. Olav - St. Olaf - St. Olave (different spellings of the name name), from Novgorod in Russia to Minnesota in the USA, from the North Cape to the Mediterranean Sea, we also today find churches, schools and colleges dedicated to his name.
In 1029 AD Håkon, Knud's Earl in Norway, was killed in a shipwreck and Olav noticed the chance to regain the country he had earlier lost. With a small army of Swedish, Icelandic and Norwegian followers Olav landed in Mid-Norway in 1030 AD. At the battlefield of Stiklestad on July 29th, Olav attacked the enemy army of farmers led by Kalv Arneson, Hårek av Tjøtta and Tore Hund.
"Torstein Knarresmed cut King Olav with the axe, and the cut hit the left leg above the knee. Finn Arnesson immediately killed Torstein but after receiving the wound the King supported himself against a stone, threw the sword and prayed to God for help. Then Tore Hund stabbed him with his spear, the stab came below the shield coat and entered the abdomen. Then Kalv cut him and the cut hit the left side of the neck. -- These three wounds killed King Olav." - Snorre Sturlason, the Saga of St. Olav.
Of King Olaf's Miracles
n the sand-hill where King Olaf's body had lain on the ground a beautiful spring of water came up and many human ailments and infirmities were cured by its waters. Things were put in order around it, and the water ever since has been carefully preserved. There was first a chapel built, and an altar consecrated, where the king's body had lain; but now Christ's church stands upon the spot. Archbishop Eystein had a high altar raised upon the spot where the king's grave had been, when he erected the great temple which now stands there; and it is the same spot on which the altar of the old Christ church had stood. It is said that Olaf's church stands on the spot on which the empty house had stood in which King Olaf's body had been laid for the night. The place over which the holy remains of King Olaf were carried up from the vessel is now called Olaf's Road, and is now in the middle of the town. The bishop adorned King Olaf's holy remains, and cut his nails and hair; for both grew as if he had still been alive. So says Sigvat the skald: --
"I lie not, when I say the king Seemed as alive in every thing: His nails, his yellow hair still growing, And round his ruddy cheek still flowing, As when, to please the Russian queen, His yellow locks adorned were seen; Or to the blind he cured he gave A tress, their precious sight to save."
Heimskringla - Norwegian Kings - Vol. 4 by Snorri Sturlson
Norwegian Knights
St. Olav as portraited in the French "Breviarium Nidrosiense", Paris, 1519
The Royal Norwegian Order of Sanct Olaf was instituted by King Oscar I on August 21, 1847
The Order is divided into five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight. The Order is divided into a Civil and a Military division. When awarded for military services, the decoration of the Order bears two blue-enamelled crossed swords under the crown on the cross.
Upon a members death, or if a member is awarded a higher decoration, the insignia must be returned to the Chancery of the Order.
The total number of Norwegian recipients of all the different classes of the Order (Knight I/II, Commander I/II, Grand Cross, Grand Cross w/Collar) is approximately 5,000 over the last 155 years. Since inception, approx. 500 of the Grand Cross Class has been bestowed to both Norwegians and foreigners.
The Monarch of Norway is the Grand Master of the Order which takes its name from King Olav II, who was declared a saint after his death in 1030 AD.
King Haakon VII and Queen Maud in 1906. The first royal couple of an independent Norway in 500 years.
The King may award the Collar of the Order to holders of the Grand Cross. Today, except for Royalty and foreign Heads of State, the Order of St.Olav is restricted to Norwegian citizens
The Order is considered to be a jewel by international order collectors due to the Orders scarcity and high quality goldsmith work. A very limited number of the Order exist in the international market place due to the fact that the Order has been awarded to foreign members in the past. Upon some of the foreign members death, the insignia was not returned to the Chancery of the Order. Among the Nordic royal orders, St. Olav is only ranked after the exclusive Danish Elephant Order and the Swedish Seraphim Order.
In 1847 when the St. Olav Order was first established, it was only occasionally manufactured by J. Tostrup in Norway and instead manufactured by Jeweler Carlman in Stockholm, Sweden.
It was considered a national victory when J. Tostrup started to master the challenging enamel techniques required for the Order and the company was finally awarded the entire production in 1883. Most Orders after this date have been produced in Norway. Messrs. Oluf Tostrup, Torolf Prytz, David Andersen, Johan Lund and Gustav Gaudernack are all credited for the creation of the modern Norwegian enamel art work towards the end of the 19th Century.
1847-73: 3 classes, Grand Cross, Commander (with Star) and Knight. The name of the order was "Den norske Sanct Olafs Orden" (The Norwgian Order of Sanct Olaf) until 1906.
1855-1890's: Some of the Knight and Commander types were bestowed with Brilliants. The brilliants were arranged in a circle around the Lion in the centre of the Cross instead of the normal rings in blue and white enamel. The balltips of the cross arms with one diamond each and the crown studded with diamonds.
1873: Commander Class divided into two classes on July 19th, 1873, the day after the Coronation of King Oscar II in Trondheim. Commander 1st Class (with Star) and Commander 2nd. Class (without Star). The new Commander 2nd. Class was only awarded to foreigners until 1891, when the first one was awarded to a Norwegian recipient.
1882: The Collar introduced as an additional insignia of the Order for the Grand Cross class. The Collar was automatically awarded with the Grand Cross from 1882 until 1905.
1890: Knight 2nd class in silver introduced. From 1890 until 1906 only foreigners were awarded the Knight 2nd. class in silver.
1906: The Collar was introduced as a separate class. The name of the Order changed to "Den Norske St. Olavs Orden" (The Norwegian Order of St. Olav).
1915: The first non-royal woman awarded St. Olav. Cathinka Guldberg, Knight Class 1.
1928: Foreigners awarded Commander Class 1 limited to receive the Star only and not the cross (badge).
1935: The name of the Commander Class 1 formally changed to "Commander with Star"
1942-45: During WWII the Orders were made by Spink & Son, London, England.
1947: The first non-royal woman awarded the Grand Cross of the Order. Sigrid Undseth, Author, 1928 Nobel Prize in Literature.
1985: The Order of St. Olav is no longer awarded to foreign nationals except to foreign Royals and Heads of State. The Norwegian Order of Merit instituted in 1985 by King Olav V as a new separate Order to be awarded to foreigners and Norwegians permanently residing abroad for outstanding services to Norway.
1994: David Andersen in Oslo appointed as the new Court Jeweler of the Order. The manufacture of the insignia is today contracted out to former J. Tostrup employees at Tostrup-Gaardens Silversmith in Oslo. This firm is the actual manufacturer of the insignia but officially it is made in the name of jeweler David Andersen.
The award process is based on democratic principles where the King has more of a symbolic role following the recommendations made by a 6-member committee.
The application for an award is addressed to H.M. the King, and is forwarded to the Chancery of the Order. An Order advisory committee established by H.M. the King based on a recommendation by the Prime Minister, consists of Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Treasurer (the Master of Royal Household) and 3 members representing South-, Mid- and North-Norway, provide in all cases their recommendation to H.M. the King. The Chancery of the Order is the secretary of the Order.
For Foreign citizens:
No foreigners except for Royalty and Heads of State have been awarded St. Olav since 1985. Instead the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit is awarded to both foreigners and Norwegians abroad.
For Royalty and Foreign Heads of State:
The award process still follows the old procedure; the Order is awarded at the sole discretion of H.M. the King.
Award Document for St. Olav Knight Class 1 by Oscar I, 1879
St. Olav Award Documents
Guidelines for bestowal of most Orders including St. Olav for Heads of State, Officals and Military
The Collar of the Order: Conferred upon the most important foreign Heads of State as a gesture of courtesy and not for merit. In a few cases awarded to Norwegians for extraordinary and historic important achievements.
Grand Cross Class: Conferred on foreign royals and Heads of State as a gesture of courtesy and not for merit. Divided in a civil and military division. Until 1985 conferred upon foreign Ambassadors, Prime Ministers, Parliamentary and High Court Presidents, Lieutenant Generals, Admirals and others of equivalent rank. Awarded to Norwegians for extraordinary and historic important achivements of an official, commercial, civil, military, technical or scientific nature designed to promote the prestige of Norway and the good of mankind.
Commander with Star (Class I): Conferred upon Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary, Parliamentary Vice-Presidents, Departmental Ministers, High Court Judges, Major-Generals, Vice-Admirals, Rear-Admirals and others of equivalent rank.
Commander Class II: Conferred upon Attaches and Consuls of Embassy, First Secretaries of Embassy, Consul-Generals, Members of the Government, Presidents and representatives of scientific institutions, Appeal Court Judges, Colonels, Lieutenant-Colonels, Commodores, Captains and others of equivalent rank.
Knight Class I: Conferred upon First Secretaries, Legation, Second Secretaries of Embassy, Consuls, Mayors, Commanders, Lieutenant-Commanders and others of equivalent rank.
Knight Class II: Conferred upon Second Secretaries of Legion, Third Secretaries of Embassy, Vice-Consuls, Archivists, Lieutenants in Army and Navy and others of equivalent rank.
Award document signed by HM King Haakon VII (1905 - 1957). The Award Document is for a Commander Class Civil bestowed to a Swedish recipient in 1945. The document is hand signed by HM King Haakon VII as the Grand Master above the paper Seal of St. Olav. The folded 2-page diploma has a watermark on each page with the Norwegian Coat of Arms. Award Diploma with Commander Class, miniature and lapel button. (From a private USA collection)
"Under Our Hand and the Order of St. Olav's Seal"
Hand signed by King Haakon 7 and with the Seal of St. Olav.
Return of Badges
"According to the Statutes of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, badges have to be returned to the Office of the Order at Oslo on the death of the holder, or on the promotion of a Commander or Knight of the Order to a higher grade, or when a Knight's badge of the 1st class is conferred on a Knight of the 2nd class."
"In Foreign countries this may conveniently be done by handing over the badge to one of His Majesty's Legations or to a Norwegian Consulate."
-From the written instructions attached to the Award Document. The request for the return of the badge is printed in Norwegian, English, French and German.
The History of the Award Document
The Commander Civil class was bestowed in December 1945 but the Award Document was not extended until May 1946. The Norwegian Chancery of the Order subsequently notified the Swedish Foreign Ministry by the Chief of Protocol, who in a separate cover letter to the recipient forwarded the Award Document together with the future Return Instructions of the Order upon the Holders death. The recipient was requested to sign and return a form "Accuse` de Re`ception" to the Swedish Foreign Ministry.
"Under Our Hand and the Order of St. Olav's Seal" signed Haakon R (Rex) and with the Seal of St. Olav.
HM King Oscar II
HM King Haakon VII
HM King Olav V
HM King Harald V
Award Diploma for the Commander with Star Class
The bestowal was made on September 21, 1964 to the General Lieutenant C. G. Wagner, Chief of the Armed Forces of Belgium. The diploma is signed by the Grandmaster of the Order at that time, King Olav V.
Note the new and different style of the diploma compared to the old one used by King Haakon VII. The decorative paper seal of St. Olav remained unchanged.
Award Diploma for the Commander with Star Class
The bestowal was made on September 21, 1964 to the General Lieutenant C. G. Wagner, Chief of the Armed Forces of Belgium. The diploma is signed by the Grandmaster of the Order at that time, King Olav V.
Note the new and different style of the diploma compared to the old one used by King Haakon VII. The decorative paper seal of St. Olav remained unchanged.
His Majesty King Harald V of Norway, the Grand Master of the Order of St. Olav, receiving the now former President of the United States of America Bill Clinton for an audience at the Royal Castle in Oslo. President Bill Clinton made a State Visit to Norway on November 2, 1999 and he was the first sitting US President to visit Norway. The King can be seen wearing the Grand Cross attached to the sash in the national colors red, white and blue together with the breast Star.
THE HISTORY OF NORDIC ORDERS PRIOR TO 1650 AD
The Norwegian Saint Olav Order was established in 1847 by King Oscar I which was late in history compared to the other Nordic countries:
Norway is divided into 19 countys. Each County is divided into different township / county council (township for the whole country is 435). Here we have split Norway in 5 regions and below we tell you which county we have put in every region.
EAST NORWAY Vestfold, Buskerud, Akershus, Oslo, Østfold, Hedmark, Oppland
The Royal Coat of Arms
The Royal Coat of Arms in Norway appears to be greatly influenced by Scottish heraldry. It originated during the reign of King Håkon IV Håkonsson (1217-1263 AD). As many other monarchs he picked a lion to be his symbol, which he placed on a red background. The axe carried by the lion was added by King Eirik II Magnusson in the 1280's and it symbolizes the Patron Saint of Norway, St. Olaf. The Royal Coat of Arms has remained unchanged since.
The Royal Norwegian Coat of Arms 1906-1937.
Norway's first gold coin since 1905 portraying St. Olav
St. Olav portrayed on the first gold coin of an independent Norway with the inscription "Olav the Holy"
King Haakon VII wearing the royal crown and the Collar of the Order of St. Olav.
Two Norwegian gold coins with a unique motive were minted in 1910 in the denominations of 20 and 10 Kroner. King Haakon VII was portrayed with a royal crown on his head which had not occurred for any monarch on any coin since King Christian V in 1670 on a “Specidaler”. Never since has any Norwegian coin portrayed a crowned monarch.
In order to mark the end of the Union with Sweden in 1905, the reverse of the coin also had another national symbol with Norway's Eternal King - St. Olav standing on a drake. This motive was adopted from anchient Norwegian "Skilling" coins minted by Archbishop Erik Valkendorf in Nidaros in the 1500's AD.
"Olaf was the son of Harold Grenske, a lord in Norway. Olaf Haraldsson, often called "the Fat", spent his youth as a pirate. He was baptized in Rouen, and in 1013, went to England to aid King Ethelred against the Danes. He returned to Norway in 1015, captured most of Norway back from the Danes and Swedes, defeated Earl Sweyn at the battle of Nesjar in 1016, and became king. He set about unifying and Christianizing his realm, but the harshness of his rule precipitated a revolt of the nobles in 1029, and aided by Canute of Denmark, they defeated him and forced him to flee to Russia. He returned in 1030 and attempted to recover his kingdom, but was slain at the Battle of Stiklestad in Norway on July 29th. Though not too popular during his lifetime, miracles were reported at his shrine, and a chapel was built, which became the cathedral of Trondheim; it became a great pilgrimage center for all Scandinavia. He is one of the great heroes of Norway for his efforts to unify and Christianize Norway, of which he is patron. He was canonized in 1164 and his feast day is July 29th." - Catholic Online.
Patron Saints Index - Profile of St. Olaf II, also known as St. Olaf Haraldson, Olaf Haraldsson, Olav II, Olav the Thick, or Olaf the Fat.
For All the Saints - Biographical sketch of St. Olaf, King of Norway. Gives as variants on the saint's name: Olave, Ola, Olao, Tola, and Tooley.
Snorri Sturlason: Heimskringla - The Saga of Olaf Haraldson. In eight parts, by an important chronicler of the Viking age.
About 20,000 people attend a dramatic presentation of the events that led up to the battle in 1030 AD. Stiklestad is today best known for "The Saint Olav Drama" which is performed each year towards the end of July. "The Saint Olav Drama" will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2004, making it the oldest outdoor stage performance in Norway.
The 29 July is the anniversary of the death of Norway's patron saint, St Olav the Holy, in 1030 AD. At Stiklestad, the site of the holy king's final battle, the week before this date is dedicated to activities medieval and religious, relating to the life and times of the king.
The activities that take place during the week are organised by the Stiklestad Cultural Centre and span the spectrum of cultural and religious traditions that were implicated in the life and times of this Norwegian king. There are catholic masses, pilgrims and prayers, medieval concerts and plays, guided tours and museum exhibitions. One of the main attractions is a play that reenacts the life and deeds of Olav himself: The Saint Olav Drama. Thousands attend each year, and it is hailed as the longest running outdoor play in Norway. There is also a huge medieval market during the course of the week, in which visitors can rent authentic costumes and take part in handicraft demonstrations, games and activities, as well as buy period clothes, food and jewellery.
Background info. - Jul 2004 (annual)
The 29 July is the anniversary of the death of Norway's patron saint, St Olav the Holy, in 1030. At Stiklestad, the site of the holy king's final battle, the week before this date is dedicated to activities medieval and religious, relating to the life and times of the king.
The activities that take place during the week are organised by the Stiklestad Cultural Centre and span the spectrum of cultural and religious traditions that were implicated in the life and times of this Norwegian king. There are catholic masses, pilgrims and prayers, medieval concerts and plays, guided tours and museum exhibitions.
One of the main attractions is a play that reenacts the life and deeds of Olaf himself: The Saint Olav Drama. Thousands attend each year, and it is hailed as the longest running outdoor play in Norway.
There is also a huge medieval market during the course of the week, in which visitors can rent authentic costumes and take part in handicraft demonstrations, games and activities, as well as buy period clothes, food and jewellery.
Event Details
Place:
Norway (Stiklestad)
When:
Jul 2004 (annual)
Opening Hours:
Evening Play: Thu 7pm; Fri 6pm; Sat 6pm; Sun 6pm; Mon 7pm
Venue Details
Name:
Stiklestad Nasjonale Kultursenter
Address:
7650 Verdal
Country:
Norway
Description :
Besides hosting the annual St Olav's Week celebrations, the Stiklestad cultural centre also houses a heritage museum and several exhibitions dealing with the historical aspects of the Christianisation of Norway and the decline of the old Norse gods. Guided tours are also available, though the availability of tours in English is uncertain.
Disclaimer: Please note that this is an informative for non-profit site presenting the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, it's history, insignia and Grand Cross awards of the Order since the 1847 inception. Every effort is made to provide a high quality and accurate presentation, however webmaster is not responsible for any inaccuracies in the information presented or links to other sites. Please contact webmaster with any queries, updates or corrections. Thanks. - Armand Knutsen, Webmaster, 2006
Den Kongelige Norske St. Olavs Orden ble stiftet av Kong Oscar I i 1847, og tildeles som «belønning for utmerkede fortjenster av fedrelandet og menneskeheten». St. Olavs Orden er oppkalt etter Norges helgenkonge, Olav den Hellige, og er inndelt i fem grader: Storkors, Kommandør med Stjerne, Kommandør, Ridder av 1. klasse og Ridder. Til ordenen hører det også et Kjede som H.M. Kongen kan tildele innehavere av Storkorset - in Norwegian.
n the sand-hill where King Olaf's body had lain on the ground a beautiful spring of water came up and many human ailments and infirmities were cured by its waters. Things were put in order around it, and the water ever since has been carefully preserved. There was first a chapel built, and an altar consecrated, where the king's body had lain; but now Christ's church stands upon the spot. Archbishop Eystein had a high altar raised upon the spot where the king's grave had been, when he erected the great temple which now stands there; and it is the same spot on which the altar of the old Christ church had stood. It is said that Olaf's church stands on the spot on which the empty house had stood in which King Olaf's body had been laid for the night. The place over which the holy remains of King Olaf were carried up from the vessel is now called Olaf's Road, and is now in the middle of the town. The bishop adorned King Olaf's holy remains, and cut his nails and hair; for both grew as if he had still been alive. So says Sigvat the skald: -- 
