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Harald Fairhair

Type Figure Region Norway Time c. 850–933 Also known as Harald Fairhair、Haraldr hárfagri、Harald I of Norway

Harald Fairhair unified Norway in the late 9th to early 10th century and is traditionally regarded as its first king.

Timeline

  1. c. 850–870Vestfold · NorwayHarald came from the nobility of southwestern Norway; according to the sagas he vowed not to cut his hair until he had unified the country after seeking the hand of Gyda, and began integrating neighboring tribal lands by military means.
  2. c. 872–930Haugaland · NorwayThrough years of campaigning, including the Battle of Hafrsfjord, Harald gradually defeated local chieftains and established a royal center at Haugaland, traditionally regarded as the first king to complete the political unification of Norway.
  3. c. 930–933Norway · NorwayIn his later years Harald divided the kingdom among his sons, sparking succession disputes; some discontented chieftains went abroad to join Viking expansion, and his legacy profoundly shaped the structure of Norwegian royal power thereafter.

Sources