Wheeler/Ethridge/Zeller/Dunkin Family Tree » Harald Fairhair of Norway (± 850-± 932)

Personal data Harald Fairhair of Norway 

• He was born about 850 in Lærdal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.
• Alternative: He was born about 850 in Hole kommune, Buskerud fylke, Norway.
• He died about 932 in Avaldsnes, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway (Hauglagt på Haug ved Karmsundet Haugesund).

  Haug, Karmsundet

• Alternative: He died in the year 933 in Rogaland fylke, Norway.
• A child of Halfdan III "The Black" Gudrodsson of Vestfold and Ragnhild Sigurdsdottir

Household of Harald Fairhair of Norway

(1) He had a relationship with Swanhilda Eysteinsdottir.

Child(ren):

1. Bjorn Haraldsson  ± 892-> 932 
2. Olaf Haraldsson  898-934 

Child(ren):

1. Eirik Blodøks Haraldsson  ± 895-954 
2. Aalov Haraldsdatter  ± 875-932 
3. Halfdan IV of Norway  ± 880-???? 
4. Sigurd Haraldsson  912-937 

Notes about Harald Fairhair of Norway

King of Norway. Also known as Harald Fairhair. He is considered the greatest Viking warrior chief of the 9th Century AD and the only non-Christian to claim kingship of all Norway. Born circa 840, he was the son of Halfdan "The Black" Gudrodarsson, who ruled several scattered kingdoms in present-day Norway; his mother was Ragnhild Sigurdsdotter, Halfdan's first wife. Upon Halfdan's accidental death around 860, Harald became ruler. In 866 he began a series of conquests to unite all of Norway under one rule, and vowed not to cut his hair (hence the name "Fairhair") until he succeeded. This was achieved in 872 at the Battle of Hafrsfjord, where Harald fought against opposing enemy forces from Iceland, the Orkney, Shetland, Hebrides, and Faeroe Islands, Scotland, and local tribesmen who opposed his land taxes, and won a decisive victory. Harald had many wives and anywhere from 11 to 20 sons, according to the different saga accounts. Around 930 he ceded supreme power over to his favorite son, Eirik Bloodaxe, and they ruled jointly until Harald's death from old age. It is commonly thought that Harald was buried in a mound at Haugar, by the Strait of Karmsund, near the present-day town of Haugesund. In 1872 a national monument was raised nearby to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Battle of Hafrsfjord.

Bio by: William Bjornstad
Family Members
Parents

Halfdan Gudrodarson

810–860
Ragnhild Sigurdsdotter

820–855

Spouses

Svanhild Øysteinsdatter

850–892
Snæfrid Svåsesdatter Sami Family Tofte

850–932

Children

Olav Haraldsson Petty King of Vingulmark Fairhair Dynasty Geirstadalf

877–934
Eric I of Norway Haraldsson

885–954
Sigurd Haraldsson Haraldsson Fairhair Dynasty King of Ringerike

912–937
Haakon I of Norway Haraldsson

920–961

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Timeline Harald Fairhair of Norway

Click on the names for more info. Symbols used:  grandparents    parents    brothers/sisters    children