Saint Olav’s Axe: Norwegian Church Treasures, Diplomacy and Exile during the Early Reformation

Series: 

Author:
Louis Sicking
Embark on a thrilling journey into one of Norway’s greatest historical mysteries! In 1537, amidst a power struggle and religious upheaval, Norway’s last Catholic archbishop flees to the Habsburg Netherlands, taking treasures from Nidaros Cathedral—St. Olav’s axe, crowns, golden chalices, and sacred relics. Some vanish in diplomatic disputes, others are lost at sea or seized by pirates. But where did they all end up? Drawing on rare archival discoveries, this book uncovers a riveting tale of exile, diplomacy, and lost heritage. Packed with vivid storytelling and fresh insights, it reveals the dramatic fate of Norway’s sacred treasures at the dawn of the Reformation.
Copyright Year:
2025
E-Book (PDF)
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Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-73783-9
Publication:
04 Nov 2025
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Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-71007-8
Publication:
04 Sep 2025
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Louis Sicking is Aemilius Papinianus Professor of History of International Law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Lecturer in Premodern History at Leiden University. His research interests include maritime and colonial history and the history of international law and diplomacy before 1800.
Contents
Preface
List of Figures and Tables
Abbreviations
Notes on Conventions

Introduction

1 The Struggle for the Norwegian Throne, 1523–1536
 1 Introduction
 2 Unions of Scandinavian Kingdoms
 3 The Archbishop, the Council of the Realm and the Reformation
 4 A Castle for the Archbishop: Steinvikholm
 5 Christian II and the Habsburgs
 6 The Council of the Realm and the Election of a New King
 7 A Failed Takeover
 8 Habsburg Support from the Netherlands
 9 Conclusion

2 The Flight of the Norwegian Archbishop to the Netherlands, 1536–1537
 1 Introduction
 2 Preparations in the Netherlands
 3 Wintering in Trondheim
 4 Preparations in Norway
 5 Departure for the Netherlands
 6 Exile in the Netherlands
 7 The Archbishop’s Entourage
 8 Conclusion

3 The Privateer and the Chancellor
 1 Introduction
 2 Christopher Trondsson’s Captures
 3 Danish Threat: Christopher Trondsson off the Netherlandish Coast
 4 Gaudo Norweger in Support of Maximilian of Egmond-Buren
 5 Conclusion

4 Traces of Treasures
 1 Introduction
 2 Debate about the Treasure
 3 St Olav and His Shrines
 4 Treasures to Copenhagen
 5 In Search of a Sunken Treasure
 6 The Composition of the Norwegian Church Treasure in Deventer
 7 Conclusion

5 A Diplomatic Battle over St Olav’s Axe, 1537–1548
 1 Introduction
 2 Deventer: the Main Centre of Trade with Norway in the Netherlands
 3 The Various Parties Appear on the Scene
 4 Deventer: Pivot in the Diplomatic Dispute
 5 Deventer Diplomacy
 6 Conclusion

6 Hunting for Treasures
 1 Introduction
 2 Treasure Hunt
 3 A Treasure of Parchment and Paper

Conclusion

Epilogue
Appendix: Documents
Sources and Literature
Index
This book is ideal for historians, researchers, and postgraduate students in medieval and early modern history, religious studies, and Nordic heritage. It also appeals to museum specialists, archivists, and academic libraries focused on Reformation-era diplomacy and lost treasures.
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Publisher:
Brill
Language:
English
Pages:
xvi, 232 pp.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004737839

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