The popular image of Vikings is as pagan marauders who destroyed Christian churches and ransacked monasteries.
The reality is that outside of Scandinavia they converted to Christianity within a couple of generations after settling in countries from Ireland to Ukraine.
By the year 1000 most of the Viking world was well on the way to becoming Christian.
Among them was Olaf Haraldsson who was baptised in the French city of Rouen.
He became king of Norway in 1015 and converted much of the country to Christianity, both by force and legislation.
He was killed in battle while leading his Christian warriors to defeat against Danish-backed pagan Norwegian nobles.
The Norwegian people soon realised what a great leader they’d lost.
Within a year Olaf was canonised and became a symbol of Norwegian national independence that has endured for a millennium.
Today he is the patron saint of Norway and remembered as a key figure in the Christian conversion of Norway.
His popularity led to churches being dedicated to him in England as well as in Norway.
St Olave’s Church is one of only a handful of medieval churches that escaped the Great Fire of London 400-years ago.
During World War II the exiled King of Norway worshipped there.
