c. 872 CEReputable sourceDebated
Harald Fairhair Unifies Norway
On the timeline · around c. 872 CE ·
What happened
According to the sagas, King Harald Fairhair won the Battle of Hafrsfjord around 872 and became the first king to unite Norway under a single crown. Chieftains who refused his rule are said to have fled to settle Iceland.
Why it matters
Harald's unification helped forge the Norwegian kingdom and, by driving out his rivals, helped populate the new Norse colonies in the North Atlantic.
How we know
The story comes mainly from later Icelandic sagas, so the details of Harald's reign are part history, part legend.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Harald Fairhair · Reputable source