Harald Fairhair (in Norwegian, Harald Hårfagre) (850–933), named for his thick, flowing hair, is considered the first king of Norway, although his rule was primarily over the western coast. He was the founder of the Fairhair dynasty. Born to King Halfdan "the Black", Harald grew up in a fragmented Norway, divided into small kingdoms ruled by jarls and local kings. The country's rugged geography, with glaciers and fjords, made communication and unity difficult, leaving it weaker than its neighbors, Denmark and Sweden.  

When his father died in 860, Harald, only ten years old, inherited the throne. Due to his young age, his maternal uncle Guthormr initially served as regent, ruling over kingdoms in the Vestfold region of southern Norway. Seizing the opportunity presented by Halfdan's death, many jarls rebelled and expanded their territories. However, Guthormr subdued the insurrections, killing the rebellious jarls and consolidating their lands under Harald's rule. This left the young Viking king in control of a large territory, fueling his ambitions for even greater conquests.  

Tall, handsome, and a skilled warrior, Harald brought more Norwegian jarls under his influence. His campaign eventually led him to the domain of King Erik, one of the region's most powerful rulers. According to the sagas, including the skaldic poems Haraldskvæði and Glymdrápa (composed in the 10th century by the skald Þorbjörn Hornklofi), Harald fell in love with Erik's daughter, Gyda. However, when Harald proposed, Gyda rejected him, claiming he was not yet her father’s equal in power.  

In response, Harald vowed not to cut his hair or beard until he had united all of Norway under his rule, proving himself worthy of Gyda. Over the next ten years, Harald waged brutal campaigns, culminating in the decisive naval battle of Hafrsfjord in 872, which secured his control over Norway. He then won Gyda’s hand, and together they had 13 children, two of whom, Haakon and Erik, would later become kings of Norway.  

Harald ruled for many years, dying at the age of 80. His reign was marked by periods of peace, prosperity, and violence against his enemies, leaving a lasting legacy in Norwegian history.