Category:Saint Hallvard

Coats of arms showing St. Hallvard. Hallvard Vebjørnsson (c. 1020 – 1043), is the patron saint of Oslo. He is considered a martyr because of his defence of an innocent thrall woman.

Little is known of his life, and all traditional stories relate to his death near Drammen. The exact year of birth and place of his birth is unknown. According to tradition, his father was the farmer Vebjørn. His parents were wealthy farmers and owned the farm Husaby in Lier. His mother, Torny Gudbrandsdatter, was reportedly related to St. Olaf, the patron saint of Norway. It is said that she was the daughter of Gudbrand Kula from Oppland, who was also the father of Åsta Gudbrandsdatter, St. Olav's mother.

Hallvard defended a pregnant woman, most likely a thrall, who had been given sanctuary on his ship from three men accusing her of theft. Hallvard, together with the woman, were killed by arrows from the men. The woman was buried on the beach. Hallvard, however, was bound with a millstone around his neck, and the men attempted to drown his body in Drammensfjord but it refused to sink and as a result their crimes were discovered. (Source Wikipedia)