The Heimskringla on Harald Harfager

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 8. Halfdan'S Meat Vanishes At A Feast

• attestation: Young Harald helped the captured Finn escape against his father's will

  "Harald let him escape against the king's will, and accompanied the man himself."

• attestation: The Finn chief revealed that he had taken the provisions and prophesied Harald would rule all Norway

  ""Thy father took it much amiss that in winter I took some provisions from him,--now I will repay it to thee by a joyful piece of news: thy father is dead; and now thou shalt return home, and take possession of the whole kingdom which he had, and with it thou shalt lay the whole kingdom of Norway under thee.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 1. Harald'S Strife With Hake And His Father Gandalf.

• attestation: Harald was ten years old when he succeeded his father Halfdan the Black

  "Harald (1) was but ten years old when he succeeded his father (Halfdan the Black)."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 2. King Harald Overcomes Five Kings.

• attestation: Harald and Guthorm surprised the Upland kings at night, burning the houses of Hogne Karuson and Gudbrand

  "came there about the time of midnight, without the watchmen observing them until their army was before the door of the house in which Hogne Karuson was, as well as that in which Gudbrand slept. They set fire to both houses"

• attestation: After defeating four chiefs, Harald subdued Hedemark, Ringerike, Gudbrandsdal, Hadeland, Thoten, Raumarike, and northern Vingulmark

  "King Harald, by his relation Guthorm's success and powers, subdued Hedemark, Ringerike, Gudbrandsdal, Hadeland, Thoten, Raumarike, and the whole northern part of Vingulmark."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 3. Of Gyda, Daughter Of Eirie.

• attestation: Harald wanted Gyda as his concubine, but she refused a king who ruled only a few districts

  "The king wanted her for his concubine; for she was a remarkably handsome girl, but of high spirit withal."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 4. King Harald'S Vow.

• attestation: Harald vowed never to cut or comb his hair until he had subdued all of Norway

  ""I make the solemn vow, and take God to witness, who made me and rules over all things, that never shall I clip or comb my hair until I have subdued the whole of Norway, with scat (1), and duties, and domains; or if not, have died in the attempt.""

• attestation: Harald made his vow in response to Gyda's challenge, acknowledging she had reminded him of something he should have already realized

  ""She has reminded me," said he, "of something which it appears to me wonderful I did not think of before.""

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 5. The Battle In Orkadal.

• attestation: Harald and Guthorm marched from the Uplands through Gudbrandsdal, over Dovrefjeld, burning and killing as they went

  "prepare for an expedition to the Uplands, and northwards up the valley (Gudbrandsdal), and north over Dovrefjeld; and when the king came down to the inhabited land he ordered all the men to be killed, and everything wide around to be delivered to the flames."

• attestation: People fled to Orkadal, Gaulardal, and the forests; some submitted and became Harald's men

  "some down the country to Orkadal, some to Gaulardal, some to the forests. But some begged for peace, and obtained it, on condition of joining the king and becoming his men."

• attestation: Harald defeated King Gryting in Orkadal, capturing him and forcing his submission

  "he had his first battle with a king called Gryting. Harald won the victory, and King Gryting was made prisoner, and most of his people killed. He took service himself under the king, and swore fidelity to him."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 6. King Harald S Laws For Land Property.

• attestation: Harald decreed that all udal (freehold) property in conquered lands belonged to him, and bondes must pay land dues

  "King Harald made this law over all the lands he conquered, that all the udal property should belong to him; and that the bondes, both great and small, should pay him land dues for their possessions."

• attestation: Harald appointed earls over every district to judge, collect dues and fines, keeping a third for themselves

  "Over every district he set an earl to judge according to the law of the land and to justice, and also to collect the land dues and the fines; and for this each earl received a third part of the dues, and services, and fines"

• attestation: Each earl commanded four or more herses, each with a twenty-mark estate and twenty men-at-arms; the earl maintained sixty men

  "Each earl had under him four or more herses, each of whom had an estate of twenty marks yearly income bestowed on him and was bound to support twenty men-at-arms, and the earl sixty men, at their own expenses."

• attestation: Harald's earls had greater power and income than the old petty kings, attracting great men to his service

  "The king had increased the land dues and burdens so much, that each of his earls had greater power and income than the kings had before; and when that became known at Throndhjem, many great men joined the king and took his service."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 7. Battle In Gaulardal.

• attestation: Harald gave Earl Hakon Strind district after conquering Gaulardal and slaying two kings there

  "King Harald went into Gaulardal, and had a great battle, in which he slew two kings, and conquered their dominions; and these were Gaulardal district and Strind district. He gave Earl Hakon Strind district to rule over as earl."

• attestation: Four Throndhjem kings united against Harald from Veradal, Skaun, Sparbyggja, and Eyin Idre but all were defeated

  "the Throndhjem people assembled, and four kings met together with their troops. The one ruled over Veradal, the second over Skaun, third over the Sparbyggja district, and the fourth over Eyin Idre (Inderoen)"

• attestation: Harald fought at least eight battles and killed eight kings to conquer all of Throndhjem district

  "In all, King Harald fought at the least eight battles, and slew eight kings, in the Throndhjem district, and laid the whole of it under him."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 8. Harald Seizes Naumudal District.

• attestation: Harald gave Hrollaug the earldom of Naumudal after a ceremonial investiture with sword and shield

  "King Harald a sword, fastened it to Hrollaug's belt, bound a shield to his neck, and made him thereupon an earl, and led him to his earl's seat; and therewith gave him the district Naumudal, and set him as earl over it"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 9. King Harald'S Home Affairs.

• attestation: Harald established his permanent residence at Lade in Throndhjem

  "King Harald then returned to Throndhjem, where he dwelt during the winter, and always afterwards called it his home. He fixed here his head residence, which is called Lade."

• relationship: Harald married Asa, daughter of Earl Hakon Grjotgardson

  "This winter he took to wife Asa, a daughter of Earl Hakon Grjotgardson"

• attestation: Harald had a great dragon-ship built and manned with picked forecastle men and berserks

  "he had caused a great frigate (a dragon) to be built, and had it fitted-out in the most splendid way, and brought his house-troops and his berserks on board."

• attestation: Only men remarkable for strength, courage, and dexterity were admitted to Harald's house-troop

  "Such men only were received into King Harald's house-troop as were remarkable for strength, courage, and all kinds of dexterity"

• attestation: The skaldic verse calls Harald 'the fair-haired son of Odin's line' and 'warder of great Odin's shrine'

  "The warder of great Odin's shrine, The fair-haired son of Odin's line"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 10. Battle At Solskel

• attestation: Harald defeated Hunthiof and Nokve at the battle of Solskel in 867 AD, killing both kings

  "They met at Solskel, and there was a great battle, which was gained by King Harald (A.D. 867)."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 11. Fall Of Kings Arnvid And Audbjorn.

• attestation: In the second battle at Solskel, Harald personally fought in the vanguard, killing so many that Arnvid's forecastle men were driven behind the mast

  "King Harald was raging with anger, and went forward to the fore-deck, and slew so dreadfully that all the forecastle men of Arnvid's ship were driven aft of the mast"

• attestation: Harald's earls Asgaut and Asbjorn fell in the battle, along with Grjotgard and Herlaug sons of Earl Hakon of Lade

  "Of King Harald's men, fell his earls Asgaut and Asbjorn, together with his brothers-in-law, Grjotgard and Herlaug, the sons of Earl Hakon of Lade."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 12. King Vemund Burnt To Death.

• attestation: After conquering South More in 868 AD, Harald left Vemund (Audbjorn's brother) still holding the Fjord district

  "After this battle (A.D. 868) King Harald subdued South More; but Vemund, King Audbjorn's brother, still had Firdafylke."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 13. Death Of Earls Hakon, And Atle Mjove.

• attestation: In spring 869 AD, Harald went south along the coast, subdued Firdafylke, then headed east to Viken

  "The following spring (A.D. 869) King Harald went southwards with his fleet along the coast, and subdued Firdafylke. Then he sailed eastward along the land until he came to Vik"

• attestation: Harald left Earl Hakon Grjotgardson in charge of the Fjord district

  "he left Earl Hakon Grjotgardson behind, and set him over the Fjord district."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 14. Harald And The Swedish King Eirik.

• attestation: Harald landed at Tunsberg, then a trading town, after being away from Viken for four years in Throndhjem

  "King Harald came with his fleet eastward to Viken and landed at Tunsberg, which was then a trading town. He had then been four years in Throndhjem, and in all that time had not been in Viken."

• attestation: Harald summoned bondes to a Thing at Fold and accused them of treason for giving obedience to Sweden

  "King Harald was very angry at this, and summoned the bondes to a Thing at Fold, where he laid an accusation against them for treason towards him."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 15. Harald At A Feast Of The Peasant Ake.

• attestation: Harald pursued Eirik after discovering Ake's murder but Eirik escaped into Gautland

  "away rode he and his men the way King Eirik had taken, until they came in sight of each other. Each for himself rode as hard as he could, until Eirik came into the wood which divides Gautland and Vermaland."

• attestation: Harald conquered Vermaland and killed Eirik's men wherever he found them, then wintered in Raumarike

  "Harald wheels about, and returns to Vermaland, and lays the country under him, and kills King Eirik's men wheresoever he can find them. In winter King Harald returned to Raumarike"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 16. Harald'S Journey To Tunsberg.

• attestation: Harald sailed from Tunsberg eastward and subjected all of Vingulmark to his rule

  "King Harald went out in winter to his ships at Tunsberg, rigged them, and sailed away eastward over the fiord, and subjected all Vingulmark to his dominion."

• attestation: Harald marauded in Ranrike during winter, keeping to his ships rather than staying by the fire

  "All winter he was out with his ships, and marauded in Ranrike"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 17. The Battle In Gautland.

• attestation: The Gautlanders drove stakes into the Gaut river to block Harald's ships in spring

  "the Gautlanders drove stakes into the Gaut river to hinder King Harald with his ships from coming to the land."

• attestation: Harald laid his ships alongside the stakes and plundered and burned the surrounding country

  "King Harald laid his ships alongside the stakes, and plundered the country, and burnt all around"

• attestation: The Gautlanders then gave battle with a great army but Harald won the day

  "the Gautlanders came down to the strand with a great army, and gave battle to King Harald, and great was the fall of men. But it was King Harald who gained the day."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 18. Hrane Gauzke'S Death.

• attestation: Harald fought many battles in Gautland on both sides of the river, generally winning

  "King Harald went far and wide through Gautland, and many were the battles he fought there on both sides of the river, and in general he was victorious."

• attestation: Harald had four sons by Asa: Guthorm (eldest), twins Halfdan the Black and Halfdan the White, and Sigfrod, all raised in Throndhjem

  "By Asa he had four sons. The eldest was Guthorm. Halfdan the Black and Halfdan the White were twins. Sigfrod was the fourth. They were all brought up in Throndhjem with all honour."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 20. Harald Supreme Sovereign In Norway.

• attestation: After the battle of Hafersfjord, Harald faced no further opposition in Norway since all his greatest enemies were eliminated

  "After this battle King Harald met no opposition in Norway, for all his opponents and greatest enemies were cut off."

• attestation: A great multitude of people fled Norway rather than submit to Harald, populating Jemtaland and Helsingjaland

  "some, and they were a great multitude, fled out of the country, and thereby great districts were peopled. Jemtaland and Helsingjaland were peopled then"

• attestation: Iceland and the Faroe Islands were discovered and settled during the discontent caused by Harald's land seizures

  "In the discontent that King Harald seized on the lands of Norway, the out-countries of Iceland and the Farey Isles were discovered and peopled."

• attestation: Norwegians fleeing Harald settled in Shetland and used the Orkney Islands and Hebrides as winter bases for viking raids on Norway

  "The Northmen had also a great resort to Hjaltland (Shetland Isles) and many men left Norway, flying the country on account of King Harald, and went on viking cruises into the West sea. In winter they were in the Orkney Islands and Hebrides; but marauded in summer in Norway"

• attestation: Many mighty men also chose to take service under King Harald and dwell in Norway with him

  "Many, however, were the mighty men who took service under King Harald, and became his men, and dwelt in the land with him."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 21. Harald'S Marriage And His Children.

• attestation: After becoming sole king, Harald sent for the proud girl who had earlier refused him and took her as his wife

  "When King Harald had now become sole king over all Norway, he remembered what that proud girl had said to him; so he sent men to her, and had her brought to him, and took her to his bed."

• attestation: Harald's children with the proud girl included Alof (eldest), Hrorek, Sigtryg, Frode, and Thorgils

  "And these were their children: Alof--she was the eldest; then was their son Hrorek; then Sigtryg, Frode, and Thorgils."

• attestation: Harald married Ragnhild the Mighty, daughter of King Eirik of Jutland, and their son was Eirik Blood-axe

  "he had one wife, who was called Ragnhild the Mighty, a daughter of King Eirik, from Jutland; and by her he had a son, Eirik Blood-axe."

• attestation: Harald was married to Svanhild, daughter of Earl Eystein, and their sons were Olaf Geirstadaalf, Bjorn, and Ragnar Rykkil

  "He was also married to Svanhild, a daughter of Earl Eystein; and their sons were Olaf Geirstadaalf, Bjorn and Ragnar Rykkil."

• attestation: Harald married Ashild, daughter of Hring Dagson in Ringerike, and their children were Dag, Hring, Gudrod Skiria, and Ingigerd

  "King Harald married Ashild, a daughter of Hring Dagson, up in Ringerike; and their children were, Dag, Hring, Gudrod Skiria, and Ingigerd."

• attestation: Harald put away nine wives when he married Ragnhild the Mighty

  "King Harald put away nine wives when he married Ragnhild the Mighty."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 22. King Harald'S Voyage To The West.

• attestation: Harald sailed west to clear the islands of vikings who had been raiding the Norwegian coast during summers

  "one summer he sailed with his fleet right out into the West sea. First he came to Hjaltland (Shetland), and he slew all the vikings who could not save themselves by flight."

• attestation: Harald sailed south from Shetland to the Orkney Islands and cleared them of all vikings

  "Then King Harald sailed southwards, to the Orkney Islands, and cleared them all of vikings."

• attestation: Harald proceeded to the Hebrides and then plundered far and wide in Scotland, fighting battles there

  "Thereafter he proceeded to the Sudreys (Hebrides), plundered there, and slew many vikings who formerly had had men-at-arms under them. Many a battle was fought, and King Harald was always victorious. He then plundered far and wide in Scotland itself, and had a battle there."

• attestation: When Harald reached the Isle of Man, all inhabitants had fled to Scotland leaving the island bare of people and goods

  "When he was come westward as far as the Isle of Man, the report of his exploits on the land had gone before him; for all the inhabitants had fled over to Scotland, and the island was left entirely bare both of people and goods"

• attestation: Harald gave Ragnvald the Orkney and Shetland isles as compensation for Ivar's death

  "King Harald gave Ragnvald, as a compensation for the loss, the Orkney and Shetland isles"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 23. Harald Has His Hair Clipped.

• attestation: Harald had been called Lufa, meaning 'with rough matted hair,' before Earl Ragnvald gave him the name Harfager meaning 'fair hair'

  "the king had been called Lufa (i.e., with rough matted hair). But then Earl Ragnvald gave him the distinguishing name--Harald Harfager (i.e., fair hair)"

• attestation: All who saw Harald agreed the surname was apt because he had the most beautiful and abundant head of hair

  "all who saw him agreed that there was the greatest truth in the surname, for he had the most beautiful and abundant head of hair."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 24. Rolf Ganger Driven Into Banishment.

• attestation: King Harald declared Rolf an outlaw over all Norway after Rolf made a cattle foray in Viken, despite a ban on plundering within the country

  "The king assembled a Thing, and had Rolf declared an outlaw over all Norway."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 25. Of The Fin Svase And King Harald.

• attestation: Harald made Snaefrid his lawful wife and loved her so passionately that he neglected his kingdom and high duties

  "King Harald made Snaefrid his lawful wife, and loved her so passionately that he forgot his kingdom, and all that belonged to his high dignity."

• attestation: Harald and Snaefrid had four sons: Sigurd Hrise, Halfdan Haleg, Gudrod Ljome, and Ragnvald Rettilbeine

  "They had four sons: the one was Sigurd Hrise; the others Halfdan Haleg, Gudrod Ljome and Ragnvald Rettilbeine."

• attestation: After recovering from his delusion, Harald resumed ruling his kingdom as before, strengthened by his subjects

  "the king came to his understanding again, threw the madness out of his mind, and after that day ruled his kingdom as before."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 26. Of Thjodolf Of Hvin, The Skald.

• attestation: After discovering the Finn woman's cunning, Harald angrily drove away all the sons he had with Snaefrid

  "After King Harald had experienced the cunning of the Fin woman, he was so angry that he drove from him the sons he had with her, and would not suffer them before his eyes."

• attestation: Harald sent Gudrod back with Thjodolf, Halfdan and Sigurd to Ringerike, and Ragnvald to Hadaland

  "he sent Halfdan and Sigurd to Ringerike, and Ragnvald to Hadaland, and all was done as the king ordered."

• attestation: During this period Harald sat in peace, the land enjoyed quietness and good crops

  "In these times King Harald sat in peace in the land, and the land enjoyed quietness and good crops."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 30. Earl Ragnvald Burnt In His House.

• attestation: When King Harald reached forty years of age, many of his sons had grown strong and resented not receiving portions of the kingdom.

  "When King Harald was forty years of age many of his sons were well advanced, and indeed they all came early to strength and manhood."

• attestation: Harald's sons considered earls inferior in birth to themselves and objected to the king placing earls over every district.

  "they thought earls were of inferior birth to them"

• attestation: King Harald marched against Gudrod with a great force, compelling Gudrod to surrender, and sent him to Agder.

  "King Harald heard this he set out with a great force against Gudrod, who had no other way left but to surrender, and he was sent to Agder."

• relationship: Harald appointed Earl Ragnvald's son Thorer over More and gave him his daughter Alof (called Arbot) in marriage.

  "King Harald then set Earl Ragnvald's son Thorer over More, and gave him his daughter Alof, called Arbot, in marriage."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 32. Harald And Einar Reconciled.

• attestation: King Harald assembled a levy and sailed west to Orkney with a great force, causing Earl Einar to flee to Caithness.

  "King Harald now ordered a levy, and gathered a great force, with which he proceeded westward to Orkney; and when Earl Einar heard that King Harald was come, he fled over to Caithness."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 35. Harald Divides His Kingdom.

• attestation: At fifty years of age, many of Harald's sons had grown up and were causing violence and discord, even killing some of the king's earls.

  "When King Harald was fifty years of age many of his sons were grown up, and some were dead. Many of them committed acts of great violence in the country, and were in discord among themselves."

• attestation: Harald summoned a Thing in the south and enacted a law giving all his male-line descendants the kingly title and female-line descendants the title of earl.

  "he gave to all his sons the title of king, and made a law that his descendants in the male line should each succeed to the kingly title and dignity; but his descendants by the female side only to that of earl."

• attestation: Harald divided his kingdom: Vingulmark, Raumarike, Vestfold, and Thelamark went to Olaf, Bjorn, Sigtryg, Frode, and Thorgils.

  "Vingulmark, Raumarike, Vestfold and Thelamark, he bestowed on Olaf, Bjorn, Sigtryg, Frode, and Thorgils."

• attestation: Hedemark and Gudbrandsdal were given to Dag, Hring, and Ragnar; Ringerike, Hadeland, and Thoten to Snaefrid's sons.

  "Hedemark and Gudbrandsdal he gave to Dag, Hring, and Ragnar. To Snaefrid's sons he gave Ringerike, Hadeland, Thoten, and the lands thereto belonging."

• attestation: In Throndhjem, Halfdan the Black, Halfdan the White, and Sigrod received land to rule.

  "North in Throndhjem he gave Halfdan the Black, Halfdan the White, and Sigrod land to rule over."

• attestation: Each son received half of Harald's revenues in their district and a high-seat one step above earls but one step below the king's.

  "In each of these districts he gave his sons the one half of his revenues, together with the right to sit on a high-seat,--a step higher than earls, but a step lower than his own high-seat."

• attestation: Harald destined his king's seat for Eirik, though the Throndhjem people wanted Halfdan the Black to succeed.

  "His king's seat each of his sons wanted for himself after his death, but he himself destined it for Eirik. The Throndhjem people wanted Halfdan the Black to succeed to it."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 36. Death Of Ragnvald Rettilbeine.

• attestation: King Harald hated witchcraft and sent a message demanding that the warlock Vitgeir of Hordaland abandon his sorcery.

  "Now King Harald was a hater of all witchcraft. There was a warlock in Hordaland called Vitgeir; and when the king sent a message to him that he should give up his art of witchcraft"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 39. Reconciliation Of The Kings.

• attestation: King Harald was furious and assembled a great force against the Throndhjem people, while Halfdan the Black levied ships and troops at Stad.

  "King Harald, who was very wroth at it, and assembled a great force against the Throndhjem people. When Halfdan the Black heard this he levied ships and men"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 40. Birth Of Hakon The Good.

• attestation: In old age, King Harald generally dwelt on great farms in Hordaland: Alreksstader, Saeheim, Fitjar, Utstein, or Ogvaldsnes on Kormt island.

  "When King Harald began to grow old he generally dwelt on some of his great farms in Hordaland; namely, Alreksstader or Saeheim, Fitjar, Utstein, or Ogvaldsnes in the island Kormt."

• attestation: At seventy years of age, Harald fathered a son with Thora Mosterstang, a handsome woman of good birth from Moster connected to Kare of Hordaland.

  "When Harald was seventy years of age he begat a son with a girl called Thora Mosterstang, because her family came from Moster."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 41. King Athelstan'S Message

• attestation: When Harald grasped the sword by the handle, the ambassador declared him Aethelstan's subject for having accepted it.

  "The king took the sword by the handle; whereupon the ambassador said, "Now thou hast taken the sword according to our king's desire, and therefore art thou his subject as thou hast taken his sword.""

• attestation: Harald recognized the insult but controlled his anger following his custom, consulting friends who advised letting the ambassadors depart safely.

  "King Harald saw now that this was an insult, for he would be subject to no man. But he remembered it was his rule, whenever anything raised his anger, to collect himself, and let his passion run off"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 42. Hauk'S Journey To England.

• attestation: The following summer, King Harald sent Hauk Habrok, a great warrior dear to him, westward to England commanding a ship with his son Hakon aboard.

  "The following summer King Harald sent a ship westward to England, and gave the command of it to Hauk Habrok. He was a great warrior, and very dear to the king. Into his hands he gave his son Hakon."

• attestation: By common custom, a man who fosters another's child is considered of lesser status than the child's father.

  "it is the common observation of all people, that the man who fosters another's children is of less consideration than the other."

• attestation: Despite the mutual attempts at one-upmanship, neither king's dignity was truly injured, as each remained supreme in his own kingdom.

  "in truth there was no injury, to the dignity of either, for each was the upper king in his own kingdom till his dying day."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 44. Eirik Brought To The Sovereignty.

• attestation: At eighty years of age (AD 930), King Harald became too infirm to travel or govern, so he placed his son Eirik on the high-seat with power over the whole land.

  "When King Harald was eighty years of age (A.D. 930) he became very heavy, and unable to travel through the country, or do the business of a king. Then he brought his son Eirik to his high-seat, and gave him the power and command over the whole land."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 45. King Harald'S Death.

• attestation: King Harald lived three years after giving Eirik supreme authority, residing mostly on his farms in Rogaland and Hordaland.

  "King Harald lived three years after he gave Eirik the supreme authority over his kingdom, and lived mostly on his great farms which he possessed, some in Rogaland, and some in Hordaland."

• attestation: Harald married most of his daughters to his earls within Norway, founding many great families.

  "King Harald married most of his daughters within the country to his earls, and from them many great families are descended."

• attestation: Harald died of sickness in Hogaland in AD 933 and was buried under a mound at Haugar in Karmtsund.

  "Harald died on a bed of sickness in Hogaland (A.D. 933), and was buried under a mound at Haugar in Karmtsund."

• attestation: A church was later built in Haugesund near Harald's burial mound, with a grave-stone thirteen and a half feet high and two ells broad.

  "In Haugesund is a church, now standing; and not far from the churchyard, at the north-west side, is King Harald Harfager's mound"

• attestation: Harald was described as remarkably handsome, great, strong, generous, and a great warrior in his youth.

  "Harald Harfager was, according to the report of men of knowledge, or remarkably handsome appearance, great and strong, and very generous and affable to his men."

• attestation: His mother's dream before his birth foreshadowed his life: the tree's red base meant bloodshed, the green stem his flourishing reign, and the white top his old age.

  "the lowest part of the tree she dreamt of was red as blood. The stem again was green and beautiful, which betokened his flourishing kingdom; and that the tree was white at the top showed that he should reach a grey-haired old age."

• attestation: Norway has always had kings descended from Harald's line ever since his reign.

  "for of his race, ever since. Norway has always had kings."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 14. Jamtaland And Helsingjaland.

• attestation: When Harald Harfager seized power, many from Throndhjem and Naumudal fled to Jamtaland and Helsingjaland.

  "when Harald Harfager took possession of the whole country many people fled before him, both people of Throndhjem and of Naumudal districts; and thus new settlers came to Jamtaland"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 50. About Earl Hakon.

• attestation: Harald Harfager had established the arrangement that there should be an earl in each district, and Earl Hakon had sixteen earls under him

  "The arrangement introduced by Harald Harfager, that there should be an earl in each district, was afterward continued for a long time; and thus Earl Hakon had sixteen earls under him"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 34. Kings In The Upland Districts.

• attestation: Many district-kings in the Uplands were descended from Harald Harfager: Hrorek and Ring ruled Hedemark, Gudrod ruled Gudbrandsdal, and others held Raumarike, Hadaland, Thoten, and Valders.

  "At that time there were many kings in the Uplands who had districts to rule over, and the most of them were descended from Harald Harfager. In Hedemark two brothers ruled--Hrorek and Ring; in Gudbrandsdal, Gudrod; and there was also a king in Raumarike; and one had Hadaland and Thoten; and in Valders also there was a king."

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 44. Of Earl Svein'S Forces.

• attestation: The Throndhjem lendermen were so powerful and well-born that many descended from earls or the royal race tracing back to Harald Harfager.

  "many of them were so powerful and well-born, that they descended from earls, or even from the royal race, which in a short course of generations reckoned to Harald Harfager"

Heimskringla > The Chronicle Of The Kings Of Norway > 99. History Of The Earls Of Orkney.

• attestation: In Harald Harfager's time, the Orkney Islands were first settled by Norsemen after previously being only a viking resort.

  "in the days of Harald Harfager, the king of Norway, the islands of Orkney, which before had been only a resort for vikings, were settled"

• attestation: King Harald forced the Orkney people to surrender their udal properties and hold them under oath from him; Torf-Einar became the king's man and the earldom became a fief.

  "King Harald made the people of the Orkney Islands give up their udal properties, and hold them under oath from him"