14thC soldiers at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim

[druzhina]

At Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway, is an altar with scenes from the Life of Saint Olaf. Olaf died centuries earlier, but the costume shown on the alter is from a later period. The story seems to start at bottom left and progress anti-clockwise. The scene of the Battle of Stiklestad shows the death of Olaf amongst foot-soldiers with swords, spear or axe, with heater shields with various forms of cross on them. Are the arms and armour consistent with the early 14th century? Are the various crosses what Scandinavian soldiers would have on their shields or is this to fit the religious subject?

A larger image of the Scenes from the Life of Saint Olaf, Altar, Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway, first half of the 14th century

MIRROR SITE
Scenes from the Life of Saint Olaf, Altar, Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway, first half of the 14th century

Druzhina
Scandinavian Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[druzhina]

I have received another reply giving some things that are included in the legend of St. Olaf: Olav is supposed to have demanded his men decorate their shields with the cross; (Tore Hund ("Tore the Dog") wears a magical reindeer coat (given to him by Lapp wizards?) that turns blows; and axes are mentioned. So these may have been included to fit the legend.

Typical Norwegian chapel de fer (stalhufvú) of the period. Amongst the surviving examples are:

(1-2-3 late 13th/early14th, 4 early 13th/late 12th, 5 later) Thanks to Ringeck.

Druzhina
14th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers