Hallvard was a young man of royal lineage who sacrificed his life in a deed of valor some nine hundred years ago.

According to legend, a pregnant woman was fleeing from assailants who had accused her of theft and were therefore trying to kill her. Hallvard was present and wanted to help the woman escape. He rowed her out on the fjord in a boat but was unable to escape the pursuers. Hallvard and the woman were both killed. The pursuers put a millstone around Hallvard's neck and sank his body in the cold water. Shortly after, however, his body floated to the surface with the millstone still round his neck. This event led to the canonization of Hallvard, making him a saint. Today, St. Hallvard is the patron saint of Oslo and adorns the Oslo city arms.

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This page was last updated on April 30, 2017.