Fairhair

Fairhair is a common name for the king Harald I of Norway, who reigned from approximately 872 to 930 AD. He is known as Harald Fairhair because of his exceptionally beautiful and long hair, which he vowed not to cut until he had united Norway under a single kingdom. This ambitious goal was achieved through a series of battles, most notably the Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872.

Before Fairhair, Norway was divided into numerous small chiefdoms and petty kingdoms, often warring with each other. Harald's unification brought a degree of centralized power and laid the groundwork for a more cohesive Norwegian state. His reign marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the region.

The sagas, particularly Heimskringla by Snorri Sturluson, provide much of the historical information about Harald Fairhair. However, the exact accuracy of some of these accounts is debated by historians, as they were written centuries after his death. Despite this, his legacy as the first king to rule over a unified Norway is widely accepted.

Harald Fairhair's reign also saw a significant emigration of Norwegian jarls and chieftains who opposed his rule. Many of these disaffected nobles settled in the North Atlantic, including the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and parts of Britain, influencing the settlement and development of these areas. He is a pivotal figure in early Norwegian history and Norse mythology.