Harald Fairhair

Harald "the Fairhair" was the son of Halfdan "the Black" and his wife, Ragnhilda. Harald was ten years old when his father died of an accidental drowning. Harald fell under the guardianship of his mother's brother, Guthorm, who acted as regent. It was left to Guthorm to protect Harald's inheritance by preventing the boy's father's enemies from regaining their independence and recovering their territories. Harald became the master of an enlarged Vestfold, including Ringerike, Hedemark, Gudbrandsdal, Hadsland, Toten, Raumarike, and northern Vingulmark. Norway was now one country. Southwards was Denmark and more especially, Jutland. Westward, oversea, Harald's relatives, Olaf or Amlaibh, had won or were winning kingdoms in the British Isles. Northward lay the Trondheim jarls; rich in the needs of Europe such as hides, sea-ivory and down. What was needed for the goods to be transported was safe transport, which the Trondheim jarls were effecting. In this, the two greatest men in Norway came to turns, Hakon strengthened his grip on the Trondelag and was made jarl of Hladir and in return he recognized Harald's overlordship. Harald found himself free to marry Hakon's daughter and enlarge his father-in-law's already large holdings, while at the same time, wage war on the viking kingdoms in the west.

Harald's campaign against the Vestland was long and arduous. He found himself confronted by a warlike aristrocracy of sea-going pirates who had long been raiding west over sea. Time and fate brought Harald closer to Hafrsfjord, the most decisive battle in Scandinavian history. A host of disaffected kings and jarls gathered in the southwest, encountering Harald where he lay in wait at Stavenger. Harald arose the victor. This battle probably took place ca 885-900. Tradition states that following Hafrsfjord, many of Harald's enemies fled to the Shetlands, the Orkneys, and the Hebrides from which they then raided Norway. In an attempt to control these raids, Harald first attempted to establish a naval patrol, but the raids were too quick for the patrol to be effective. Harald sailed to these islands himself, putting his foes to the sword. Harald then claimed the islands of the Shetlands and Orkneys and appointed the family of the jarl Rognvald of Moer. Sigurd, Rognvald's brother became the first earl of Orkney.

Actually, Harald's power extended only over southern Norway, however, he was a king of Norway such as had never been seen before. The areas conquered by Harald suffered appropriation of their estates and in every shire (fylki), he appointed a jarl whose duty was to administer law and justice and collect the king's fines and dues. In return for this service, the jarl was allowed to retain one third of his collections. Beneath each jarl were four or more hersar. Each jarl was to provide 60 men to the king while each hersar provided 20 men. From the fur trade of the north, Harald received a toll, as well as from all Icelandic trade. Norwegians continued to live under the rule of local custom and Thing-Law. The importance of the Things was advanced under King Harald.

During his long life, Harald fathered many sons; some sources say as many as twenty by many mothers. Two of the sons stand out: Erik "Bloodaxe" and Hakon "the Good" who was fostered in England with King Athelstan. Many of Harald's sons were self-serving and turbulent.

Harald died 933/945 due to an illness in Hogaland and was buried in a mound on Karmay or by Haugasund in Rogland. Three years before his death, Harald passed his kingdom to his son, Erik "Bloodaxe". Most of Harald's daughters were married to Norwegian earls and from them many of the great families descend. Harald left no government to preserve his achievement and Norway quickly fell into former petty kingdoms.

Olaf "the Saint"

Olaf "the Saint", King of Norway, son of Harald "the Greenlander" and Asta Gudbrandsdottir, first went to sea at the age of twelve in the care of Hrane, a trusted war veteran. In that fall of 1007, Olaf participated in his first battle against the Swedes and proved himself successful. Olaf would participate in four more battles before sailing to England. During Olaf's visit, King SveinForked beard died suddenly. Ethelred, King of the English had been in Flanders and upon hearing of Svein's death, returned to England and began to hire mercenaries to help him regain his country. Among those who joined him was Olaf. King Ethelred led them in an attack on the Danes in London Under Olaf's direction, a great victory was made at the London Bridge in which many Danes were killed when the bridge was loosened and broken and the Danes fell into the river to their deaths. Ethelred was successful in defeating the Danes and was hailed as King. Again, Olaf aided Ethelred at the battle of Canterbury. In this battle, King Olaf was entrusted with the entire battle and again Olaf was victorious. Olaf remained in England for three years, 1010-1012. While fighting Danes in Normandy, Olaf was met by the sons of King Ethelred who promised Olaf the land of Northumberland if Olaf was successful in helping them defeat the Danes, under King Canute, who had once again taken control of England. Olaf sent Hrane to England to collect men-at-arms. In the spring of 1014, Olaf and King Ethelred's sons set out for England. Though they were successful at first, they were unable to stand before Canute's force. Ethelred's sons fled to Rouen. Olaf proceeded to North umberland where he gained plunder before moving on to return to Norway. Before reaching Norway, Olaf managed to take Earl Hakon, son of Earl Erik, prisoner. After Earl Hakon took an oath that he would never fight against Olaf nor seek to defend Norway against him, King Olaf freed the earl and his men. Olaf's father had been killed by the Swedes when Olaf was young and Olaf was rased by his stepfather, Sigurd Syr. Upon returning to Norway, Olaf sought the advice of his step-father, Sigurd and his foster-father, Hrane. Olaf confided his plan to take the throne of Norway, which was his by right of his forefathers and of his plan to defeat, if necessary, his kinsman, Olaf Trygvason. Norway was divided into many kingdoms which were primarily ruled by descendants of Harald Harfager. It was to these kings that Olaf requested aid in his goal. Each of them gave their oath to support Olaf in his quest to become supreme king of Norway. Olaf was confirmed as king by the Thing (a body of men who determined government and kingship). Olaf spent the next year gathering support and battling enemies. The year 1016 found Olaf king of most of Norway and he began his goal of travelling throughout his country spreading Christianity to the people. He was a good king, giving his people peace and security. He had a strong feeling for the law and called the law assemblies, the Things, which kept their power and were strengthened through Olaf's chosen farm aristocrats rather than the old style kings. The ancient law based upon sword-points began to be replaced by legal procedure and law.

With Olaf's determination to make Norway a Christian nation, he brought Norway out of the past into the present, lessened her isolation and brought her into the fuller European civilization of the time. Olaf's methods were merciless. He executed the recalcitrant, blinded or maimed them, drove them from their homes, cast down their images and marred their sacred places. Baptism and the king's friendship were always available. Olaf's goal to establish a state church in Norway was remarkably effective. Olaf caused many churches to be built in Norway. By the time of Olaf's death, Norway was a Christian country.

Olaf married Astrid, daughter of Olaf, King of Sweden. Common interest and fear of the Danes helped to create the alliance between Norway and Sweden.

Olaf is described as being of medium height but stocky build, with light golden-brown hair and fair, piercing eyes. He was an expert swimmer, bowsman, and was skilled himself in smithwork. From birth, he was known as Olaf the Great.

Beginning in 1025-6, Canute began to turn his attention from England to the defense of Denmark. In this effort, he began to invade Norway and was successful in many Norwegian areas to the point where Canute's son, Svein, was able to force King Olaf to flee Norway, finding sanctuary with his kinsman Yaraslov in Russia. Canute travelled throughout Norway, dispensing wealth and even magnifying his spiritual devotion with a trip to Rome. His goal was to conqueor Norway bloodlessly and in many areas he was successful.

Early in 1030, Olaf began to make preparations to return to Norway. Accordingly, he sailed with 240 men to Gotland and from there he went on to sweden. Onund of Sweden provided Olaf with 480 men, with permission to recruit others as he was able. Olaf moved into the forests of Dalarna, where he was met by his half-brother, Harald (Hardradi) and other kinsmen. Olaf's enemies watched as Olaf moved towards Norway and as Olaf moved closer, his enemies began to gather their forces against him. Those great cheiftains who had accepted Canute's bribes, joined the enemies of Olaf.

Olaf was slain at age 35 on Wednesday, 29 Jul 1030, while fighting in the Battle of Stiklestad. He died of three wounds, the final blow being struck to the neck. Thorer Hund, one of Olaf's enemies, discovered the king's body and took care of it, laying it out on the ground and covering it with a cloak. As Thorer wiped the blood from the king's face, he was amazed to see the wound on the king's neck to become healed. It was part of a vision which Olaf had the night before the battle. Thereafter, Thorer spread the word of Olaf's sanctity. Following the battle, Thorgils Halmason and his son, Grim, went to the field of battle and, finding Olaf's body, took it to a hut on their farm. They removed the king's clothes and wrapped it in linen and hid it under some firewood. It is said that a blind man, seeking shelter, went into the hut and dropped his hat upon the floor. Feeling for the hat, he felt moisture on the floor. In replacing his hat upon his head, he accidentally put his fingers in his eyes, which were immediately stricken by a severe itch. He went out of the hut and was surprised to find that he could then see. Upon hearing the blind man's tale, Thorglis and Grim, fearing the king's enemies would discover the body, removed it to the garden. Thorer Hund returned to the spot where he had seen the king's body and not discovering it, left. Thorglis and Grim had seen a clear light burning over the battlefield where they had found the king's body and they had always seen a light burning over the body. They feared the king's enemies would discover the body and mutilate it. They determined to create a coffin for the body, and afterwards made another coffin in which they laid stones and straw. Once the enemie's army had left Stiklestad, they, along with seven or eight relatives, took the body to the boat and secured it under the foot-boards. They aslo carried the coffin containing the stones and placed it on the boat. They rowed to Nidaros, where Thorgil sent men to Biship Sigurd to say that they had the body. The bishop sent men in a boat and demanded the body. Thorgil and his men gave them the coffin with the stones and watched as the bishop's men rowed into the fjord and sank the coffin in the sea. At dark, Thorgil rowed up river to Saurhlid where they carried the king's body to an empty house. That night, Thorgil went to the king's best friends and ask if they would take charge of the body, but none dared. Thorgils and his men went higher up the river and buried the body in a sand-hill on the banks, leveling the ground so that none could see where the body had been buried.

That summer there was much talk of King Olaf's sanctity and there were many who believed that the king must be a saint. Reproaches were made against those who had excited the opposition to the king, including Bishop Sigurd, who was forced to flee to England. Bishop Grimkel, long a friend of King Olaf's and one of Olaf's principal councillors, went to Nidaros, where he inquired upon the miracles of King Olaf. He then sent a message to Thorgils and his son, Grim, inviting them to come to visit him. They set out immediately and confided to the bishop where they had put the body. The bishop then received permission from the king to exhume the body. When they arrived, they found the coffin had already raised itself almost to the surface. The coffin was opened and it is said that, though 12 months and five days had passed, the body appeared unaffected, with reddened cheeks.King Svein and all the chiefs went out to view the body. It was determined by the Thing that King Olaf should truly be considered a holy man. The body was taken to Clement's church, which had been founded by Olaf twenty years before, where it was placed near the high altar. It is said that a spring of water sprang forth from the spot where the body had been buried and that the water healed those of ailments and infirmities.

The army that defeated Olaf was said to be one of the largest ever assembled in Norway and consisted of 14,400 soldiers. Olaf was followed by 3,600 men, made up of Norwegians from south-eastern Norway, Swedes and an assortment of men.

Magnus I "the Good"

Magnus I "the Good", son of Olaf, King of Norway, and his "frilla", Alfhild, was named after Charlemagne (Karla-Magnus). Magnus had been in Russia, when his father died and the boy was brought home to Norway, following his father's death. Magnus was then eleven years of age. Hordaknut, son of Canute and King of Denmark, met with Magnus and a treaty was signed in which each pledged their kingdom to the other in the event of their death.Upon Hordaknut's death, Magnus succeeded to the Danish throne. In 1043, Magnus turned his attention to the invasion of southern Jutland and the Slavonic Wends, which had been threatening Denmark. The night before the battle, Magnus had a vision through his father, that the Danes would be successful. He fought the battle using the battle axe of this father. When the battle ended there were 15,000 Wendish dead, ending the Wendish threat to Denmark. Svein Estridsson, Hordaknut's true heir with a realistic claim to the throne of Denmark, was a threat to Magnus. Magnus had met with Svein, who had promised Magnus his allegiance. In return, Magnus made Svein jarl and regent of Denmark. Once in Denmark, Svein began to plot against Magnus, but his plan was foiled as Magnus moved with speed and energy with his fleet against Denmark. Svein fled to Sweden. Magnus also had a claim to England through his treaty with Hordaknut, a claim which the English took seriously, as Magnus had already proven his military ability and naval strength. However, Magnus probably did not entertain serious notions of conquering England. His desire was to hold Norway and Denmark. In 1045, Svien, still in Sweden, met Harald Hardradi, the "thunder-bolt of the north", Magnus's uncle, half brother to Magnus's father, Olaf. Harald was almost a mythological legend in his own time. His valor and skill were legendary after serving for King Yaraslov in Russia, Poland in 1031, Byzantium in 1034. He was a professional mercenary who had fought in the Greek islands, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, palestine, Sicily and Bulgaria. He was fierce, resourceful, cunning, resilient, enduring and double-dealing with necessary. He was the "epitome of the viking who lived by rapine and war, believed in fame, riches and power." Harald had returned to lay claim to Norway to which he felt entitled as Olaf's half brother. Harald and Svein invaded Zealand and Fyn. Harald's aim was a kingdom or half-kingdom in Norway; Svein wanted Denmark. Harald then made contact with Magnus and an agreement was reached in which a division was made of Norwegian territories. Magnus died of sickness or accident in the autumn of 1047.