The Völsunga Saga on Harold Fairhair
The Story Of The Volsungs, (Volsunga Saga) > With Excerpts From The Poetic Edda > Introduction
attestation: Harold Fairhair and Saint Olaf were prominent Norse rulers whose histories were little known in the English-speaking world
"the warring of Harold Fairhair or Saint Olaf"
attestation: Harold Fairhair resolved to unify all of Norway under his rule near the end of the ninth century
"Toward the end of the ninth century Harold Fairhair, either spurred by the example of Charlemagne, or really prompted, as Snorri Sturluson tells us, resolved to bring all Norway under him."
attestation: Harold vowed never to cut or comb his hair until he subdued all Norway
"never shall I clip or comb my hair until I have subdued all Norway with scatt, and duties, and lordships; or, if not, have died in the seeking."
attestation: Harold Fairhair defeated all opposition at the battle of Hafrsfirth
"until at Hafrsfirth he finally crushed all effective opposition."
attestation: Harold imposed a feudal system that made all freemen subordinate to the king at all times
"nothing less than the feudal system in a rough guise --which made those who had hitherto been their own men save at special times, the king's men at all times, and laid freemen under tax"
attestation: Harold Fairhair twice attacked Viking settlements in the isles with fire and sword
"he drew together a mighty force, and fell upon them wheresoever he could find them, and followed them up with fire and sword; and this he did twice"