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Saga of Harald Fairhair is the third of the sagas in Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla, after Ynglinga saga and the saga of Halfdan the Black. Snorri sagas were written in Iceland in the 1220s. The saga is about the Norwegian king Harald Fairhair.
Contents
Content
The saga is divided into 44 chapters.
The saga begins with Harald takes over the kingdom after his father, 10 years old. Halvdan probably had his royal seat at Ringerike or Hadeland, and the kingdom included inner Eastern parts of Norway. After Halfdan's death several local kings tried to take over his empire, but Harald defended it with the help of his uncle Guttorm. The saga tells us about Harald's proposal to the princess Gyda Eiriksdatter who refused to marry someone who was king of a small kingdom. She is thereby given credit for having spurred to Harald's collection works.
Snorre goes on about Harald's mission to Trøndelag, his victories there, and his further journey to Möre. Here citing Snorre from poet en Þorbjörn Hornklofi's poem Glymdråpa. A little later in the saga quoted also scald Eyvindr skáldaspillir.
Chapter 13 tells that Harald was back in Viken having laid under the whole west country. He added now under his kingship Vingulmark. Chapter 16 and 17 tells about Haralds matches in Götaland (Sweden), before the saga of Chapter 18 recounts Battle of Hafrsfjord that gave Harald a definitive position as king of all Norway. Þorbjörn Hornklofi made this poem about the battle:
After the victory at Hafrsfjord saga that Harald fetched the maiden Gyda and married her. They had 5 children. The saga is otherwise generous with accounts of Harald's wives and children. Snorri mentions Åsa, one Svanhild, one Åshild, and finally Ragnhild the Mighty, a daughter of King Eirik of Jutland. It is there stated that he sent his 9 wives away to marry Ragnhild. Þorbjörn Hornklofi was quoted on this:
Snorre tells us that Harald had his hair cut off by Ragnvald, Earl of Moer after 10 years, and he was named Hårfagre (Finehair). Previously he was nicknamed Luva (the scruffy), mentioned by Hornkløves poem about the Battle of Hafrsfjord.
Woven into the saga is the story of Snøfrid Svåsedatter, a sami girl who had enchanted the king, and according to the story Harald and Snøfrid had 4 sons. Among these was Turf-Einar (Einar Jarl) and Halfdan Hålegg, they are discussed in Orkneyinga saga as controversial and puzzling guys.
Chapter 32 tells us about Harald's mission to Orkneys. Moreover, Snorri tells us about Haralds relationship with the king Æthelstan and Haralds son Håkon, later Haakon the Good. Æthelstan brought up Håkon, and Snorri portrays it as if Harald tricked Æthelstan to do so.
In the final chapters, Snorri tells that Harald put his son Eirik Bloodaxe to rule the country. King Eric has not got any own saga behind him, but he briefly discussed in this saga and in the subsequent saga about his half brother, Haakon the Good.
Literary style
When Heimskringla, Harald Fairhair saga, is still recognized as some of the best in Old Norse literature from this period as "due primarily Snorre unites historical criticism and thinking with ingenious storytelling. He composes meticulously prepares, creates excitement, regression and expectation, until the decision falls in a dense, dramatic scene. " The other sources, who Ágrip af Nóregskonungasögum and Fagrskinna, is concise and sober shape, while Snorre elaborate and enliven the action and people. Snorre show an ability to find relationships, motives and reasons. He makes love to speeches and conversations spice report. Such statements are naturally free poetry, but they give life to the story.
Written records
The only written source to Snorri sagas medieval preserved is Codex Frisianus from about 1330. The other records were lost in a library fire in Copenhagen in 1728.