Roman Catholic Saint and Martyr. He was born circa 1020 and little is known of his early life. His father was reportedly a wealthy farmer and his mother was supposed to have been related to Saint Olaf, the patron saint of Norway. According to tradition, he is considered a martyr because he died in defense of an innocent pregnant woman who was wrongly accused of theft. He had given her sanctuary on his ship and was going to transport her across Drammensfjord to safety when her accusers caught them before they had a chance to get away. They killed Hallvard and the woman with arrows, buried her on the beach, and then attempted to hide his body by tying a millstone around his neck and throwing him overboard into the Drammensfjord. However, his body did not submerge and their crimes were soon discovered. He is celebrated as the patron saint of Oslo, Norway and is image has been depicted on the city seal since the 14th century, holding the millstone and arrows used to kill him, with the woman he defended at his feet. Oslo's highest honor, the St Hallvard Medal, was named after him in 1950. His celebrated feast day is May 15.
Roman Catholic Saint and Martyr. He was born circa 1020 and little is known of his early life. His father was reportedly a wealthy farmer and his mother was supposed to have been related to Saint Olaf, the patron saint of Norway. According to tradition, he is considered a martyr because he died in defense of an innocent pregnant woman who was wrongly accused of theft. He had given her sanctuary on his ship and was going to transport her across Drammensfjord to safety when her accusers caught them before they had a chance to get away. They killed Hallvard and the woman with arrows, buried her on the beach, and then attempted to hide his body by tying a millstone around his neck and throwing him overboard into the Drammensfjord. However, his body did not submerge and their crimes were soon discovered. He is celebrated as the patron saint of Oslo, Norway and is image has been depicted on the city seal since the 14th century, holding the millstone and arrows used to kill him, with the woman he defended at his feet. Oslo's highest honor, the St Hallvard Medal, was named after him in 1950. His celebrated feast day is May 15.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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