13 Facts About Olav Torkelsson

Olav Torkelsson, known as Olaf Thorkelson, was the 31st and last Roman Catholic Bishop of Bergen, from 1523 to 1535, and a member of the Riksrad.

Olav Torkelsson was mentioned for the first time in 1511, when he was a priest in Voss in Hordaland and a canon in Bergen, both in Bergenhus len.

Olav Torkelsson was still there three years later, in 1522, when the Bishop of Bergen, Andor Kentilsson, died.

Olav Torkelsson replied that he would like to see the Dean of the Chapter, Hans Knudsson, chosen but he allowed the Cathedral Chapter to have the election itself.

Olav Torkelsson was released only after paying a ransom and promising his fidelity to their King.

Olav Torkelsson believed that the Bishop's loyalty was being questioned so he persuaded Olav to promise his allegiance to Frederick once more.

Olav Torkelsson was so depressed by this whole experience that he was ready to resign and retire to a monastery.

In 1527, Olav Torkelsson complained to a fellow bishop about the dissolute lives of the Dominican friars, who had been spending their evenings everywhere but at their monastery.

Olav Torkelsson was the brother of a Catholic bishop and himself a faithful Catholic but he still demanded that these buildings should be demolished at once.

Olav Torkelsson felt that Bishop Torkelsson was aiding and abetting the enemy but the Bishop assured him in 1533 that he was willing to be friends with him again.

Since he became the Bishop of Bergen, Olav Torkelsson had been a member of the Riksrad.

Olav Torkelsson's death spared him from the fate that befell his fellow bishops two years later, when the Reformation came to Norway from Denmark.

Olav Torkelsson was not thought to be an educated man but he was interested in history, especially when the subject was Norway.