Harald Fairhair (c. 850 – c. 933) was a legendary king of Norway who is known for unifying many small petty kingdoms into a single, more centralized state. He is also known for his distinctive hairstyle, which was long and flowing, earning him the nickname “Fairhair.” Before his conquest of Norway Harald vowed never to cut or comb his hair until he was king of all of Norway, according Egil’s Saga, and he was known as Harald Tangle-hair.
According to the sagas, Harald Fairhair’s quest to become king began when he was just 10 years old, and he spent much of his life engaged in warfare against other petty kings and chieftains, gradually expanding his territory and consolidating his power. He eventually became the first king of a united Norway in the late 9th or early 10th century.
Harald Fairhair’s reign was characterized by a strong centralization of power, with him as the undisputed ruler of the land. He established a code of laws and regulations to govern the new kingdom, and he also reorganized the military and the administrative apparatus to support his rule.
Despite his success in unifying Norway, Harald Fairhair was not universally beloved. He faced opposition from some of the petty kings and chieftains who resented his attempts to centralize power, and he also had to contend with challenges from neighboring states, such as Sweden and Denmark.
Overall, Harald Fairhair’s reign marked a significant turning point in Norwegian history, as he helped to lay the foundation for a more unified and centralized state that would endure for centuries to come.