THE ROYAL NORWEGIAN ORDER OF ST. OLAV

In the XI century after the battle of Svoldom Norway was divided into several independent kingdoms, but in these kingdoms Olaf again united into one state. By controlling a single state, King Olaf asked his people to Christianity than filed against a great dissatisfaction. Persisted especially rich and influential rural inhabitants, whom the king severely persecuted for their adherence to paganism. Equally severely persecuted, and the elders, the individual parts of the country if they did not act according to law.

Once all the enemies of King Olaf united against him and sided with Canute the Great, and is put on the throne. Olaf had to go to Gardariki, but his absence was temporary: soon he returned to Norway and regained the throne.

In 1030 King Olaf again had to deal with his enemies, who had raised against him, the peasants. At the head of his army, King Olaf came in the mail on his head he wore a golden helmet in his left hand the king was carrying a white shield with a golden cross, and the right - a spear.

Photo — «The Royal Norwegian Order
of St. Olav»

Approaching the enemy, the royal squad rushed forward, shouting: "Forward, soldiers of Christ! Next, the Crusaders! Next, the royal troops". The peasants shouted: "Come on, villagers, forward!".

Battle of Stiglestadire was fierce, and many people died on both sides. King Olaf himself was wounded in the leg with an ax, spear - in the lower abdomen and a sword - in the neck. The wounds were fatal, and of whom the king had died. An ancient legend says that even before the battle the sun was darkened, and indeed, shortly after the death of Olaf the peasants won.

The body of the king betrayed the land and the burial site earthen mound piled. When the grave was marked by many chudesami1 Olaf, his body was moved to the cathedral in Drondgeyme and placed in a silver shrine. And then King Olav was canonized.

In 1847 with the establishment of Swedish korol2 national emblem and flag of Norway at the same time established a special Order of St.

Photo — «The Royal Norwegian Order
of St. Olav»

Olav. After 1905, when Norway was terminated union with Sweden and independence, this award was the highest award of the country. Golden-crowned lion of St. Olaf is the main symbol of the state of Norway.

The Order of St. Olav is awarded for special merit, it is a common reward for their military and civilian officials. Insignia is a white Maltese cross emalirovanny in gold and gold balls on the ends. Between the sides of the cross is placed a golden letter "O", surmounted by a crown. In the center front of the cross is shown walking to the left a lion wearing a crown and a sword in its claws; around - blue emalirovanny bezel with white edges. In the middle of the back side of the cross bears an inscription in gold letters: "Ret og Sandhed".

The Order of St. Olav has three degrees. Knight Grand Cross is awarded a silver eight-pointed star with a radiant placed medal on her cross (worn on the left side of the chest) and a cross on the tape, which is worn over the right shoulder.

Photo — «The Royal Norwegian Order
of St. Olav»

Ribbon - red with white stripes on the sides, which in turn put blue stripes. Star of the Commander of 1 class is a silver cross of the Order of the Cross on the form - without enamel on the ends, but the increased size.

Awarded the Commander's Cross 2nd class wearing it around his neck, the Chevalier degree - it's a cross around his neck. By the cross of the Order of St. Olav, bestowed for military services, joining the two swords lying crosswise.