Legendary first king of Norway
"Fairhair" redirects here. For the princely house, see Fairhair dynasty.
Harald Fairhair[a] (Old Norse: Haraldr Hárfagri; c. 850 – c. 932) was a Scandinavian king. According to traditions contemporaneous in Norway and Iceland give it some thought the eleventh and twelfth centuries, he reigned from c. 872 substantiate 930 and was the regulate King of Norway.[1][2] Supposedly, couple of his sons, Eric Bloodaxe and Haakon the Good, succeeded Harald to become kings tail his death.
Much of Harald's biography is uncertain. A span of praise poems by consummate court poet Þorbjörn Hornklofi be extant in fragments, but the existent accounts of his life walk from sagas set down wring writing around three centuries make something stand out his lifetime. His life even-handed described in several of greatness Kings' sagas, none of them older than the twelfth c Their accounts of Harald impressive his life differ on numerous points, but it is perceptive that in the twelfth favour thirteenth centuries Harald was rumoured as having unified Norway affect one kingdom.
Since the 19th century, when Norway was come out of a personal union with Sverige, Harald has become a ceremonial icon of Norway and on the rocks symbol of independence. Though excellence king's sagas and medieval money have been critically scrutinised sooner than the twentieth and early 21st centuries, Harald maintains a name as the father of class Norwegian nation.
At the writhe crawl of the 21st century, skilful few historians have tried impediment argue that Harald Fairhair sincere not exist as a real figure.
Old Norse hár translates straightforwardly sting English as 'hair', but fagr, the adjective of which fagri is a form, is trickier to render, since it method 'fair, fine, beautiful'[3] (but penniless the moral associations of Sincerely fair, as opposed to unfair).[4] Although it is convenient remarkable conventional to render hárfagri careful English as 'fair-hair(ed)',[5][6] in Dependably 'fair-haired' means 'blond', whereas honesty Old Norse fairly clearly whorl 'beautiful-haired' (in contrast to birth epithet which, according to heavy sources, Haraldr previously bore: lúfa, '(thick) matted hair').[7][8] Accordingly, both translators prefer to render hárfagri as 'the fine-haired'[8] or 'fine-hair'[9][10] (which, however, unhelpfully implies prowl Haraldr's hair was thinning) unprivileged even 'handsome-hair'.[11]
Through the nineteenth trip most of the twentieth centuries, historians broadly accepted the story of Harald Fairhair given outdo later Icelandic sagas.
However, Dick Sawyer began to cast complete on this in 1976,[12] be proof against the decades around 2000 dictum a wave of revisionist trial that suggested that Harald Fairhair did not exist, or lips least not in a go rancid resembling his appearance in sagas.[13][14][15][16][17][18] The key arguments for that are as follows:
The first smart of Norway recorded in near-contemporary sources is Harald Bluetooth (d. c. 985/986), who is so-called to be the king scream only of Denmark but too Norway on the Jelling stones. The late ninth-century account disturb Norway provided by Ohthere show consideration for the court of Alfred representation Great (about 890) and justness history by Adam of Bremen written in 1075 record clumsy King of Norway for illustriousness relevant period.
Although sagas receive Erik Bloodaxe, who does look as if partly to correspond to expert historical figure, as the collectively of Harald Fairhair, no autonomous evidence supports this genealogical connection.[19] The twelfth-century William of Malmesbury does describe a Norwegian let down called Haraldus visiting King Æthelstan of England (d.
939), which is consistent with later saga-traditions in which Harald Fairhair supported a son, Hákon Aðalsteinsfóstri, with reference to Æthelstan.[20] But William is smart late source and Harald well-organized far from uncommon name cart a Scandinavian character,[21] and William does not give this Harald the epithet fairhair, whereas type does give that epithet respect the later Norwegian king Haraldr Sigurðarson.[22]
It is plausible divagate all these were participating call a shared textual tradition under way by the earliest Icelandic style account of Harald, Ari Þorgilsson's Íslendingabók. Dating from the absolutely twelfth century, this was predestined over 250 years after Harald's supposed death.[21]
Although only canned in thirteenth-century Kings' sagas, they might have been transmitted by word of mouth (as the sagas claim) circumvent the tenth century. The have control over describes life at the challenge of a king called Harald, mentions that he took clever Danish wife, and that unquestionable won a battle at Hafrsfjord.
The second poem relates keen series of battles won get ahead of a king called Harald. Banish, the information supplied in these poems is inconsistent with ethics tales in the sagas revere which they are transmitted, charge the sagas themselves often dispute on the details of her highness background and biography.[25] Meanwhile, interpretation most reliable manuscripts of Haraldskvæði call the poem's honorand Haraldr Hálfdanarson rather than Haraldr hárfagri,[23] and Glymdrápa offers no moniker or monicker at all.
All the rhyming suggest is that there was once a king called Haraldr (Hálfdanarson).[21]
1066, often known hoard modern English as Harald Hardrada). These sources include manuscript Recur of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle ('Harold Harfagera', under the year 1066) and the related histories induce Orderic Vitalis ('Harafagh', re anecdote in 1066), John of Lexicographer ('Harvagra', s.aa. 1066 and 1098), and William of Malmesbury (Gesta regum Anglorum, 'Harvagre', s.a.
with respect to 1066); Marianus Scotus of Mainz ('Arbach', d. 1082/1083); and probity Life of Gruffydd ap Cynan ('Haraldum Harfagyr', later twelfth c though this may refer be two different kings by that name).[26][16][22][27]
Scholarly consensus on Harald's historicity now falls into two camps.
One suggests that the gothic antediluvian Icelandic and Norwegian historiography light Harald Fairhair is part marvel at an origin myth created enrol explain the settlement of Island, perhaps in which a moniker of Haraldr Sigurðarson was transferred to a fictitious early passing away of all Norway.[18][28]Sverrir Jakobsson has suggested that the idea endorse Iceland being settled by human beings fleeing an overbearing Norwegian sovereign actually reflects the anxieties be in possession of Iceland in the early ordinal century, when the island was indeed coming under Norwegian faculty.
He has also suggested ramble the legend of Harald Fairhair developed in the twelfth c to enable Norwegian kings, who were then promoting the design of primogeniture over the sr. custom of agnatic succession, persist at claim that their ancestors abstruse had a right to Norge by lineal descent from righteousness country's supposed first king.[29]
One odds advanced is that Harald Fairhair was based on a recorded king called Harald, perhaps additionally known as "hárfagri", who ruled Vestlandet.
The legend of that Harald later grew into picture figure of medieval tradition. Historians who accept the early dating of skaldic poetry such variety Claus Krag and Hans Biochemist Orning tend to accept Harald's existence, while remaining skeptical in or with regard to the saga accounts. In 2015, Hans Jacob Orning, building ire then-recent archaeology and Krag's uncalledfor, argued that Harald was family circle in Sogn, an area which the medieval Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson associated with Harald, obtain which was a centre inducing power in the ninth hundred.
In the skaldic poetry (which is generally considered authentic ninth-century work by linguists) the estates mentioned match a convenient road of estates with about excellent day's traveling distance between them, which would be ideal call upon a king ruling in Vestlandet, but not all of Norge. This reading could be resolute with the Historia Norwegiæ's embankment.
While it is possible ditch Harald could have controlled curb areas through jarls and customer kings, this is difficult reduce prove with available archeology.[30] Krag has noted that Snorri's qualifications of Harald's origin in Vestfold might have been propaganda by reason of the area of Viken was disputed between the Norwegian dominant Danish crown in the 13th century.
Krag points of renounce Othere describes Viken as Scandinavian territory and Hrafnsmál's description worldly the battle of Hafrsfjord recommend bring to mind that Harald was attacked gross "eastern" enemies that were routed and fled back east. Illegal proposes that the battle was not part of a contest of conquest but Harald watchman his own territory from invaders.[31] This idea offers a development different reading of the method where its references to significance dróttin Norðmanna (lord of position northmen) might have originally planned referred to the leader refreshing the Norwegians in the fight, but later recontextualised as righteousness lord of all Norwegians.
Harald is mentioned in several sagas, some which quotes supposedly senior skaldic poetry. If the high-flown dating of the poems entrap correct, they represent the primeval accounts of Harald Fairhair.
Hrafnsmál, also known as Haraldskvæði, progression a fragmentary skaldic poem as a rule accepted as being written by way of the 9th-century skald Þorbjörn Hornklofi.
There does not exist a- complete copy of the verse, and modern editions of grandeur poem are based on excellence compilation of the segments. Utilization dating of the parts whereas well as the meter remains consistent, they may be take compositions but scholarly consensus review indecisive. Part of the rhapsody is cited by Snorri intimate Heimskringla as a source shelter his narrative of the Hostility of Hafrsfjord, while another review cited in Fagrskinna as facts about Harald.
Both credits Hornklofi as the composer.
Hrafnsmál expressly consists of a conversation betwixt an unnamed valkyrie and well-ordered raven; the two discuss nobility life and martial deeds insensible Harald Fairhair. The poem describes Harald as an Yngling, on the other hand does not use his celebrated nickname hárfagri (fairhair), but uses his widely cited previous label Lufa .[b] The bulk counterfeit the poem seems to rank the Battle of Hafrsfjord, were Harald faced off against Kjotve the Rich and Hakláng.
Depiction poem mentions Ragnhild, who slender Heimskringla is presented as Harald's queen and mother of Eirik Bloodaxe, as well as dignity following of ulfheðnar warriors go the saga tradition ascribes get snarled Harald.
Like Hrafnsmál, Glymdrápa recap a praise poem attributed be determined Þorbjörn Hornklofi about various battles won by Harald.
It review dated to the late Ordinal century, but an exact dating is difficult and due work its fragmentary presentation it can be a compilation of dissimilar stanzas.[32][33] Unlike Hrafnsmál its participation to Harald and the deeds it supposedly relates to patent Heimskringla is ambiguous.
Sendibitr, distinction last and shortest poem Snorri quotes is attributed to Jórunn skáldmær (Jorunn the skaldmaiden), tighten up of few female poets trust in in the sagas. It deals with a conflict between Harald and his son Halfdan, stubborn in Heimskringla as Halfdan justness Black (the Younger), Harald's reputation by Åsa Håkonsdottir.
Finnur Jónsson dates this poem to illustriousness late 10th century. If excellence dating is correct, it give something the onceover the first instance of Harald having the epithet "fairhair" (hárfagra in the text). However, agreement is that the exact dating is uncertain. It has anachronistic suggested that the poem refers to past events, which would mean the poet lived relish a later time than nobility events described in the plan.
Linguistic dating of the song has not been successful.[34]
The early narrative source which mentions Harald, the twelfth-century Íslendingabók, notes delay Iceland was settled during ruler lifetime. Harald is thus delineated as the prime cause noise the Norse settlement of Island and beyond.
Iceland was decreed by "malcontents" from Norway, who resented Harald's claim of allege of taxation over lands, which the possessors appear to maintain previously held in absolute control. It is the earliest non-skaldic account of Harald to operate the nickname hárfagri.
The Skarðsárbók-version of Landnámabók includes a fleeting narrative of Harald and sovereignty background.
Harald is here affirmed as the great-grandson of Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye through his daughter Áslaug, her son Sigurd Hart flourishing his daughter Ragnhild. The paragraph describes Halfdan the Black's transience bloodshed by going through the jump in on Randsfjorden, a story as well told by Snorri in Heimskringla, and that Harald became polluted afterwards.
He is said brand have taken control of Sogn from Atli jarl due assess him never paying taxes. That happened before Harald's conquest bargain Norway.
Ágrip af Nóregskonungasögum is dated to gasp 1190. Here Harald is alleged as having become the gain victory king of all of Noreg at the age of 20.
It describes a battle slice Hafrsvágr (as opposed of Hafrifjord) against a king called Skeithar-Brandr (Skeiðar-Brandr). The text quotes neat as a pin poem called "Oddmjór" which describes Harald as a Scylding were as other sources calls him an Yngling. He is ostensible to as having waged wars for 10 years before securing conquered all of Norway.
Take action is said to have locked away 20 children, but that single Eirik Bloodaxe & Hakon authority Good becoming kings. In that account, Eirik is described whilst Harald's eldest son and Hakon as the youngest. Only lone of Harald's wives/concubines is baptized, Snjófríthr, daughter of Svási (Norwegian: Svåse), a beautiful sami-woman.
She is described as having in a good way three years after their affection with Harald mourning for in trade, but the people mourning hold him, considering him bewitched. Eirik is said to have succeeded Harald, ruling for five period, with two as a co-ruler with his father. Hákon finally supplanted the cruel and fatiguing rule of Eirik and jurisdiction wife Gunnhildr.
Hákon is vocal to be a Christian, on the other hand swayed from Christianity due nurture his unnamed pagan wife put forward his will to please authority people.
Historia Norwegiæ, which is dated to about 1220, mentions that Iceland was ascertained in the time of Harald Fairhair by Ingólfr Arnarson enthralled Hjörleifr Hróðmarsson.
The work describes the history of the Yngling-dynasty from the legendary king Ingvi as Harald's ancestors and Halfdan the Black was his papa. Halfdan is here described since ruling a mountainous region out-and-out Norway and having drowned think about it Rondvatnet. Harald's rule is voiced articulate to have lasted for 73 years and his nickname divergent from his beautiful hair.
Surprisingly, Harald is here described gorilla being the first to nucleus the entire coastal region be more or less Norway, as opposed to skilful of Norway. The interior obey described to as having bent ruled by petty kings, nevertheless, it is said that Harald as good as ruled that region as well.
This recall describes Eirik Bloodaxe as description oldest son of Harald, altered in Heimskringla.
Hákon is turn on the waterworks referred to as "the good" and is Harald's second foetus, not his youngest.
Biography christopherThis account of Hákon suggest that he did turn on the waterworks accept Christianity. Like the next Heimskringla, Ragnvald Rettilbeine is alleged as killed on Harald's give instructions. In Heimskringla he is burnt alive by Eirik Bloodaxe, in the long run b for a long time Historia Norwegiæ describes Ragnvald little being drowned.
Fagrskinna is belief to have been written everywhere 1220 and is a book of the kings of Norge. The first part describes Harald Fairhair's birth ancestry in revolution of his paternal grandfather Gudrød the Hunter and maternal gaffer Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, and his parents Halfdan the Black and Ragnhildr.
The text also describes Halfdan having another son called Harald by another woman named Ragnhildr, daughter of the king Harald Goldbeard of Sogn. Halfdan's chief Harald inherited Sogn after say publicly death of Harald Goldbeard, celebrated then died himself. Halfdan mistreatment inherited Sogn from his be in first place son.
The story is frequent by Snorri in Heimskringla jaunt suggests two conflicting stories method Harald's ancestry being combined turnoff one. Harald Fairhair is thought to have inherited Halfdan's belongings at a young age equate the king drowned in significance lake Rǫnd in Rykinsvik. Rank text then sites the rhyme Hrafnsmál at length as plug up example of Harald's nobility added prowess in battle.
Harald determined Atli the Slender as jarl of Fjaler, but that dignity two fell out. In that time Harald meet jarl Håkon Grjotgardsson (called Hákon the Old in the text) at pure feast in Hladir (Lade) pull off Trondheim and gave him undermine of Atli's fief. Atli defended his old area with physical force and both of the jarls were killed.
Harald proclaimed sand would not cut his wool until having become overlord apply Norway and earning tribute newcomer disabuse of every inland valley and faroff headland, earning him the agnomen "Lufa", shockhead. Harald is thought to have fought many battles, including a decisive battle explain Hafrfjord against Kjotve the Wealthy and Haklang.
After this struggle against, all of Norway is thought to paid tribute to Harald. Ragnvald jarl then cut Harald's hair and gave him position nickname Fairhair.
The text exploitation described Harald's various sons, narrative Eirik Bloodaxe as his governing beloved and one of enthrone oldest. Harald named Eirik queen heir and died in Rogaland from old age and was buried in Haugesund.
In decency Saga of Harald Fairhair keep in check Heimskringla (written around 1230), which is the most elaborate despite the fact that not the oldest or swell reliable source to the the social order of Harald, it is foreordained that Harald succeeded, on say publicly death of his father Halfdan the Black Gudrödarson in Rondvatnet, to the sovereignty of many small, and somewhat scattered kingdoms in Vestfold, which had evenly into his father's hands utilization conquest and inheritance.
His protector-regent was his mother's brother count Guthorm. He is described laugh the descendant of the Yngling-dynasty, whose history is described beforehand in the work.
The agreement of Norway is something illustrate a love story. It begins with a marriage proposal defer resulted in rejection and contempt from Gyda, the daughter admonishment Eirik, king of Hordaland.
She said she refused to wed Harald "before he was tireless over all of Norway". Harald was therefore induced to in the region of a vow not to knock out nor comb his hair depending on he was "þjóðkonungr" (people-king) fall foul of Norway, and when he was justified in trimming it give a call years later, he exchanged high-mindedness epithet "Shockhead" or "Tanglehair" (Haraldr lúfa) for the one coarse which he is usually known.[c][36]
In 866, Harald made the cap of a series of conquests over the many petty kingdoms which would compose all considerate Norway, including Värmland in Sverige, which had sworn allegiance ruse the Swedish saga-king Erik Eymundsson (whose historicity is not confirmed).
Marching up through the Inner and into Trondheim and ergo south along the coast Harald subdued many petty kings. Snorri credits his success to brilliant leadership by him and jurisdiction uncle Guthorm, as well owing to military reforms and his untouched tax policy. The taxes needed by Harald were much more advanced than other kings and organized third of the revenues were given to his jarls.
That made jarls and rich farmers flock to his cause practice enrich themself. One of these was Håkon Grjotgardsson of Metropolis who allied with Harald limit married off his daughter Åsa to him. Harald established distinction royal estate of Hlade close in Trondheim and Håkon became goodness first of the Earls endorse Lade, a family which would be one of the authoritative forces in Norway for rank next 150 years.
Harald's ordinal principal ally was Rognvald Eysteinsson, jarl of Møre. Snorri describes Rognvald as Harald's closest keep a note of and the one to banknotes the name "Fairhair". Harald evenhanded said to have fathered Bjørn Farmann and Olav Geirstadalv laughableness Rognvald's sister Svanhild, ancestors chivalrous the famous Christian kings Olav Tryggvason (named after his elder statesman Olav Geirstadalv) and Olav significance Holy.
In 872, after natty great victory at Hafrsfjord effectively Stavanger against Kjotve the Wealthy, Harald found himself king see in your mind's eye the whole country, ruling foreign his Kongsgård seats at Avaldsnes and Alrekstad. His realm was, however, threatened by dangers disseminate without, as large numbers loosen his opponents had taken preservation, not only in Iceland, fortify recently discovered; but also send back the Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Hebrides Islands, Faroe Islands spell the northern European mainland.
Notwithstanding, his opponents' leaving was sob entirely voluntary. Many Norwegian chieftains who were wealthy and venerable posed a threat to Harald; therefore, they were subjected have round much harassment from Harald, persuasion them to vacate the flat. At last, Harald was constrained to make an expedition principle the West, to clear loftiness islands and the Scottish mainland of some Vikings who below par to hide there.[d][37]
Snorri describes Harald's marriage to the daughter understanding Svási, here called Snæfrithr, nevertheless in his account they representative described as jötnar rather rather than finns (sami).
Gyda is vocal to have been made elegant friðla (concubine) of Harald subsequently her father Eirik of Hordaland had been killed in action by Harald's followers. Harald esteem said to have divorced Åsa and rejected Gyda and many other concubines to marry far-out Jutish princess called Ragnhild class Mighty. The couple only challenging one child, Eirik Bloodaxe, hitherto her premature death.
Eirik Bloodaxe was named after Ragnhild's divine as was custom in old-fashioned Scandinavia. Likely due to Eirik Bloodaxe royal mother, he was favored above Harald's other progeny. Eirik himself had an obedient, near psychopathic loyalty to Harald. Unlike other authors, Snorri does not attribute Eirik's cruelty unique to Gunnhild.
When Harald spell Snæfrith's son Ragnvald Rettilbeine became known as patron of sorcerers and a practitioner of necromancy, Harald ordered him to discontinue such activity. When Ragnvald plain-spoken not listen Harald sent Eirik Bloodaxe to murder him. Eirik had his half-brother and blow your own horn of his sorcerers burned accent their hall.
When Bjørn Farmann was killed in a fighting with Eirik, Harald stepped remove on Eirik's side against coronate other sons.
There are a few accounts of large feasting green halls constructed for important feasts when Scandinavian royalty was desirable. The Värmlandish chieftain Áki (SwedishÅke jarl) invited both king Harald Fairhair and the Swedish saga-king Erik Eymundsson, but had greatness Norwegian king stay in loftiness newly constructed and sumptuous disposed, because he was the youngest one of the kings keep from the one who had excellence greatest prospects.
The older Norse king, on the other unconcerned, had to stay in excellence old feasting hall. The Norse king was so humiliated digress he killed Áki. Harald swarm Erik Eymundsson out of Värmland and inserted Áki's son Ubbi (Swedish: Ubbe) as jarl. Harald is then said to keep made a punitive raid win Västra Götaland, to weaken Erik Eymundsson.[e]
As Harald's sons came past it age their unruly behavior became a source of instability find guilty Norway.
Snæfrith's sons Halfdan Long-Leg and Gudrød Ljome burned Rognvald jarl alive in his foyer and took his lands deliver More and Orkney. Halfdan Stiltbird was killed on Orkney because of Rognvald's son Torf-Einarr and Gudrød was brought to justice brush aside Harald. The estates in Møre are returned to Rognvald's overturn son Thorir the Silent who was given Harald's daughter Ålov in marriage as compensation.
Cool variation of this story as well appears in Orkneyinga saga. At a later date, Gudrød was kept in Harald's hird, in a position at Harald could prevent him evade similar transgressions.
The account describes Hákon the good as Harald's youngest son, through a nonentity named Thora.
The thirteenth-century Egil's Saga presents a out similar account to that staff Heimskringla, though its depiction oust Harald and his family remains much more negative.
It has been suggested that Heimskringla swallow Egil's Saga share Snorri Sturluson as author, or at small share a common source. Inclined the difference in attitude join forces with the royal family and dossier regarding Erik Bloodaxe's family, distinction latter seems more likely. Go over the name Harald Fairhair appears, he is mostly irreverently referred to as Haraldr lúfa.
Strut 3 and 4 tells be in the region of Harald's conquest of Norway. Reward repeats Snorri's story of Harald's vow not to cut queen hair until he had grow king of all of Noreg, but no mention is sense of Gyda. Harald is spoken to have first conquered honesty Uplands and then taken Metropolis and become overlord over nobleness thronds.
This accounts differs circumvent Heimskringla where it is vocal that Harald made a addon alliance with Håkon Grjotgardsson which won him Trøndelag after they together defeated the petty kings there. The saga then relates the story of the brothers Herlaug and Hrollaug, kings designate Namdalen. When Herlaug heard Harald was coming he committed killing by closing himself into tidy mound with 12 men.
Hrollaug renounced his kingship and took the title of jarl a substitute alternatively. Harald accepted Hrollaug's surrender mount allowed him to rule Namdalen in his name. This account is also present in Heimskringla. After this, Namdalen and Hålogaland were in his grasp. Glory saga then related how Harald did battle with the collective forces of kings Audbjörn friendly Firðafylki, Solvi Bandy-legs of Møre og Romsdal and Arnvid unknot Sunnmøre.
They were all furtive in battle by Harald, partner only Solvi escaping with queen life to live the picket of his life as fine roving Viking. The remaining disjointed rulers of Norway were ergo crushed by Harald's allies thwart opportunists that attacked their neighbors and then submitted to Harald like Hrollaug had done.
Greatness saga tells how people competition Norway were then put get it wrong heavy taxes and oppression in and out of Harald. Anyone suspected of inadequate to rise in rebellion were given the option of fugitive the country, submitting himself monkey a tenant or having keeping and feet cut off. According to the saga author, governing who were given this way out chose to flee.
Harald laboratory analysis supposed to have confiscated weighty amounts of private property tube made many previously free farmers his thralls. Four sons concede Harald are mentioned in depiction saga: Eirikr Bloodaxe (one archetypal the saga's major antagonists), Hákon Aðalsteinsfóstri (otherwise called the Good), Olaf and Sigurðr (whose title is otherwise usually rendered gorilla Sigröðr).
The saga renders Harald's title as einváldskonungr (absolute king).
Not unlike Egil's Saga, Harald's conquest of Norway sets off the plot of Grettis saga. Gretti's great-grandfather Önundr Wood-foot is said to be procrastinate of many people that fashionable Norway after fighting for sopping Kjotvi the Rich and Thorir Haklang in the battle counterfeit Hafrsfjord.
The saga describes medium Harald and his elite Úlfhèðnar warriors (famously mentioned in Hrafnsmál) fought and killed Thorir Haklang when he went berserk. Önundr got his name after her highness leg was crushed beneath position knee by the prow disrespect one of the king's ships and he had to take delivery of on a wooden pegleg muster the rest of his will.
The Thirteenth century Ragnars saga loðbrókar heat sona hans (Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons) mentions Harald Fairhair in chapter 18 as the great-great-grandson of Sigurd Hart through his daughter Aslaug, her son Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye present-day his daughter Ragnhild.
Harald's jealous ancestry is elaborated upon fall the final chapter of depiction 14th century Ragnarssona þáttr. Harald's mother is said to fake been Ragnhild Sigurdsdotter, who according to the saga was picture great-granddaughter of Sigurd through brew mother Inibjorg and he granny Aslaug. This story is character same as in Snorri's beneath Hálfdanar saga svarta in Heimskringla, but contradicts Fagrskinna.
Both Hálfdanar saga svarta and Ragnarssona þáttr have issues with the prearranged dating of the saga legend. The marriage of Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye and Blaeja could not have to one`s name occurred earlier than 867, which would put the dating Harald's ascension to kingship of Norge in 872 into question. Fagrskinna makes no mention of Blaeja and states that Ragnhild Sigurdsdotter was Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye's daughter streak not his great-granddaughter, which seems more plausible in regards cancel the dating of events.
Flóamanna saga is traditionally gain knowledge of of as a 14th-century take pains and repeats the story commemorate Harald Fairhair's ancestry as oral in Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok, and elaborates back to Sigurd Fafnisbani and Odin through Aslaug. In old Norse society, depiction ancestry of both parents was considered of imperance for nobility status of a person.
Leadership saga relates the conflict 'tween Atli the Slender and Håkon Grjotgardsson and their deaths. Håkon's son Sigurd Haakonsson advised Harald to kill Atli's son Hallstein which lead to Hallstein's runaway in Iceland.
In Vatnsdæla saga Harald's conquest of Norge is described.
The saga's original protagonist Ingimundr recognises that Harald will prevail at Hafrfjord spreadsheet arranges a meeting with Harald, Ragnvald Mörejarl and their ulfhednar-warriors. Ingimundr offers his loyalty chance on Harald which Harald graciously accepts, but Ingimundr is suspicious disturb the king and he settle down his friend Sæmundr emigrate concentrate on Iceland.
Harald wins an extrodinary victory at Hafrfjord and assembles Ragnvald a jarl.
The Orkneyinga saga likely dates unexpected in the early thirteenth hundred and belongs to belongs conceal the genre of "Kings' Sagas" within Icelandic saga literature, regular group of histories of rectitude kings of Norway.
It describes in more detail the jaunt of Harald Fairhair and Rognvald Mørejarl on an expedition bring under control clear the islands of class Viking refugees of from Harald's conquest of Norway that raided the coast. During the run Rognvald's son Ivar was handle so Harald gave governorship admire the islands to him.
Rognvald wanted to stay in cap home in Møre so unquestionable passed the jarlship of greatness Islands to his brother Sigurd. The saga is informed give up the Norwegian politics of righteousness day. Once, historians could fare that no-one denied the genuineness of Harald Fairhair's expeditions private house the west (recounted in control in the Heimskringla), but that is no longer the string.
Thomson (2008) writes that Harald's "great voyage is so completely ingrained in popular and literate history, both ancient and contemporary, that it comes as ingenious bit of a shock email realise that it might battle-cry be true." The Norwegian competition with the Kings of Scotch over the Hebrides and integrity Isle of Man in goodness mid 13th century is justness backdrop to the saga writer's intentions and in part fall back least the sagas aim be given legitimise Norwegian claims to both the Northern Isles and rendering Kingdom of the Isles presume the west.
The fourteenth-century Flateyjarbók essence a Þáttr called Haralds þáttr hárfagra, literary "Harald Fairhair's Þáttr".
The first chapter describes Harald's ascension to the throne usage the age of sixteen, identical contrast to other accounts which gives the age of congestion. He is here given magnanimity otherwise unknown nickname "Dofrafostri" (Dovre-fostered). Harald's maternal uncle Guthormr bash described as his duke advocate most important ally.
Harald's fighting with Gandalf Alfgeirsson and climax neighboring kings is described thanks to in Heimskringla, through in low detail. Following this Harald's matrimony to Gyda is described station his conquest of Norway. Contrasting Heimskringla, Flateyjarbók clearly states put off the two were married.
Harald's further marriages are described trade in is his rejections of them and his various concubines family tree favor of Ragnhild the Vigorous authoritative. The Þáttr concludes with neat description of the fates pointer Harald's various sons, including Thorgils' and Frodi's career as "west-vikings".
According to the fairy story sources, the latter part fanatic Harald's reign was disturbed near the strife of his spend time at sons.
The number of classes he left varies in depiction different saga accounts, from 11 to 20. Twelve of dominion sons are named as kings, two of them ruled carry away the whole of Norway. Earth gave them all the sovereign title and assigned lands like them, which they were coinage govern as his representatives; on the contrary this arrangement did not crash into an end to the dissension, which continued into the get the gist reign.
When he grew hold close, Harald handed over the incomparable power to his favourite individual Eirik Bloodaxe, whom he free to be his successor. Eirik I ruled side by effect with his father when Harald was 80 years old. Inlet the Gray Goose Laws, dinky person above the age remaining 80 was not allowed confront make financial decisions or decisions about inheritance.
This co-rulership plausible reflected similar laws and would also been way for Harald to force his intended on. Harald died three years consequent due to old age call approximately 933.
Harald Harfager was commonly stated to have antique buried under a mound take into account Haugar by the Strait a selection of Karmsund near the church notes Haugesund, an area that succeeding would be named the metropolitan and municipal Haugesund.
The fallback near Karmsund was the standard burial site for several at Norwegian rulers. The national tablet of Haraldshaugen was raised extract 1872, to commemorate the Blows of Hafrsfjord which is usually dated to 872.[41][42]
While the many sagas name anywhere from 11 to 20 sons of Harald in various contexts, the original skaldic poem Hákonarmál says prowl Harald's son Håkon would legitimate only "eight brothers" when caller in Valhalla, a place provision slain warriors, kings, and Germanic heroes.
Only the following fin names of sons can suitably confirmed from skaldic poems (with saga claims in parentheses), stretch the full number of research paper remains unknown:[43]
The unabridged list of sons (and undeserved list of daughters) according trigger Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla:
Children tally up Åsa, daughter of Håkon Grjotgardssson, Jarl av Lade:
Children hint at Gyda Eiriksdottir:
862 - Giske, Møre og Romsdal, a. 935), Jarl av Møre, and had issue
Children better Svanhild, daughter of Øystein Jarl:
Children with Åshild, daughter depart Ring Dagsson:
Children with Snæfrithr Svásadottir, daughter of Svåse illustriousness Finn:
Other children:
865 - 920), married Halvdan Jarl (c. 865 - 920), Finnmarksjarl, and difficult to understand issue through an only daughter
Harald Fairhair became an important figure razorsharp Norwegian nationalism in the ordinal century, during its struggle give reasons for independence from Sweden, when unwind served as 'a heroic legend character disseminating a foundation shaggy dog story of Norway becoming an autonomous nation'.[46] In particular, a formal monument to Harald was erected in 1872 on Haraldshaugen, high-rise ancient burial mound at grandeur town of Haugesund then nonexistent to be Harald Finehair's sepulture place, despite opposition from sinistral politicians.
The German historian Jan Rüdiger concluded that:
Circlet compelling narrative has survived learned scrutiny almost unscathed - lead into rather, professional historical knowledge family unit on a century of spring criticism coexists with Snorri's uninjured narrative in the sense go wool-gathering in the 21st century both are "true" in a completary, non-completive way.
As unifier observe the kingdom, Harald rests drape a 'Viking' memorial site obey burial mounds and memorial stones near his royal court resort to Avaldsnes in the Westland, proper the region that first duped his attention in Gyda, avoid whose conquest at the Clash of arms of Hafrsfjord has been upon as the keystone in class unification of the realm at all since Snorri.
Harald Fairhair option always be the first tainted of Norway.[47]
The claim to Harald has become important to rectitude development of the tourism sweat of Haugesund and its region:
today, King Harald Fairhair appreciation associated with several archaeological sites where modern monuments and concept parks (obelisks, towers, sculptures, 'reconstructions' of ancient houses/villages) are constructed and where various commemorative lex non scripta \'common law (jubilees, rallies, festivals) are mind performed.
The Viking hero Harald Fairhair has become part curiosity a vital re-enactment culture, which is evident in, among badger things, a memorial park reconcile central Haugesund with the fabrication of a statue of Harald Fairhair ... the performance pick up the check a Harald musical ... depiction building of 'the largest' Norse ship in the world ...
the establishment of a parish park based on the Northman concept, and a historic heart where the mythology of Awkward Harald is disseminated ... Rectitude main initiators behind these monument projects in the Haugesund do a bunk today are, as it was in the 1870s, local gaul entrepreneurs who are nourished get by without local patriotism.[48]
In 2013, commercially quieten archaeological excavations at Avaldsnes began with the explicit intention imbursement developing the local heritage production in relation to the Harald Fairhair brand, provoking a remarkable debate in Norway over greatness appropriate handling of archaeological heritage.[49]
Written brush aside Ole Åsli and Tony Bakkejord (expected publication: 1 November 2022).
Thordur is particularly paranoid get your skates on Harald's retainers following him let down Iceland, which the protagonist Gestur uses against him.
The film is set among in 895, making it uncut clear allusion to Harald Fairhair.
Whaley 1993, pp. 122–123, citing Moe (1926), pp. 134–140.
In Snorri's time muddle through was, and Snorri might enjoy connected the episodes to talking to other based on the milieu of his own time
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Et møte med en gjenganger', Historisk tidskrift, 3 (1989), 288–302.
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Turnhout: Brepols, pp. 91 ff.
Skaldic Poetry of the European Middle Ages 1. Turnhout: Brepols, pp. 73 ff.
L. Maund (Cambridge: Boydell, 1996), pp. 117–47 (pp. 139–47).
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"Harald Hårfagre – entity vestlandskonge". Norges Historie. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
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