The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav

The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav is a Norwegian order of chivalry that was instituted by King Oscar I of Norway and Sweden on August 21, 1847, as a distinctly Norwegian order. It is named after King Olav II, known for posterity as St. Olav. Nobility was abolished in Norway in 1821. Just before the union with Sweden was dissolved in 1905, the order of the Norwegian Lion was instituted in 1904 by King Oscar II, but it was not awarded by his successor Haakon VII. The order of St. Olav thus became the kingdom's only order of chivalry for the next 80 years. The Grand Master of the order is the reigning monarch of Norway. It is awarded to individuals as a reward for remarkable accomplishments on behalf of the father country and humanity. Since 1985, the order has only been conferred upon Norwegian citizens, though foreign heads of state are awarded the order as a matter of courtesy.

Related Topics:
Norwegian - Order of chivalry - Oscar I - Sweden - August 21 - 1847 - Olav II - 1821 - 1905 - 1904 - Oscar II - Haakon VII - 1985

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The reigning monarch awards the order upon the recommendation of a six-member commission, consisting of a chancellor, vice chancellor, the court treasurer, and one representative from the southern, central, and northern parts of Norway. The prime minister nominates the members of the commission, and the monarch approves them. Nominations for the award are directed at the commission through the county mayor.

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The order is divided into five classes and may be awarded for either civilian or military contributions, in descending order of distinction:

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• Grand Cross - awarded to heads of state as a courtesy and in rare cases to individuals for merit; wears the badge on a collar (chain) or on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
• Commander with Star - wears the badge on a necklet, plus the star on the left chest;
• Commander - wears the badge on a necklet;
• Knight, First Class - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
• Knight - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

Recipients are expected to return the insignia upon advancement to a higher level of the order, or upon their death. Since it was instituted, it has been awarded approximately 5,000 times. The insignia are produced in Norway by craftsmen.

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The Norwegian king also awards the St. Olav Medal in gold and silver for "activities for the benefit of society," but these do not confer upon the recipient membership in an order.

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The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav: Insignia ►