Harald the Great

Harald Eriksson
Depiction of Harald the Great at Hvitrheim Cathedral
High King of the Nords
Reign	c.846–869
King of Hamarland
Reign	c.842–869
Predecessor	Leif Magnusson
Successor	Erling of Hamarland
Born	c.817
Died	869
Spouse	Several
Issue	Magnus Haraldsson Erling of Hamarland Inge Haraldsdottir Cnut of Skjergard Ragnar of Haxland Freyja Haraldsdottir Sten of Raeverby
House	House of Haraldsson
Father	Erik of Hamarland
Mother	Helga of Helanger

Harald the Great (Old Nordic: Haraldr inn ríki; Dalish: Harald den Store), otherwise known as Harald Eriksson, or Harald the Conqueror (Old Nordic: Haraldr Herrlof; Dalish: Harald Erobreren), and sometimes referred to as Harald Hárskati, was a legendary Viking warrior and warlord who ruled over a vast empire within Telmeria, spanning modern-day Norden as well as parts of Cuthland-Waldrich, Mascylla, and Valimia from around 842 until his death in 869. Harald was also renowned for his numerous raids across Telmaria and as far south as Dulebia, including cities such as XXX, Pereuth, and Fahnicht. His rule marked the apex of the Nordic Viking age, inspiring a generation of warriors and raiders which saw Nordic influence spread far and wide across Berea. Additionally, his direct descendants came to rule over much of early medieval Telmeria, making the House of Haraldsson one of the most influential early-medieval royal houses. Harald is also regarded as the ancient father of the Nordic nation, having been the first Nordic ruler to unite the various ættir under his banner, and is regularly depicted in patriotic imagery and iconography.

Harald was born the son of the legendary Viking warrior Erik of Hamarland and Helga of Helanger, daughter to the King of Helanger. Raised in Hamarland, Harald was trained as a warrior, joining his father on numerous raids on the Telmeric Coast. At the age of just 19, Harald set out on a voyage of his own raiding coastal settlements in Falland and Sileria. Harald made a name of himself during the raid of Kirmouth, during which he was alleged to have personally led the charge into the city, singlehandedly breaking down the doors of Kirmouth Castle and stealing numerous prized artefacts in the process whilst also taking a daughter of the ruling family as a captive. Harald returned to Hamarland around the year 840 following the news of the death of his father, leading to his appointment as clan leader. Following this, the King of Hamarland, Leif Magnusson also passed, leading Harald to use his newfound fame and status to be elected King of Hamarland in 842. Yet, Harald's ambitions stretched far beyond Hamarland and over the following years, he sought to unite the various Nordic clans under his rule via diplomacy and war. By 846 much of the Dentrian Peninsula had fallen under his control, leading him to claim the title of High King (Old Nordic: Hárskati) of the Nords.

Through this newfound position of power, Harald launched a series of raids throughout Telmeria, conquering vast swathes of territory in the process. Initially, Harald's raids focusing on lands within modern-day Cuthland and Mascylla. Numerous settlements were raided and pillaged by Harald's armies on their campaigns, bringing great wealth to the various clans of Norden, as well as Harald personally. However, in contrast with previous Viking raids, Harald sought to assert his authority over these regions, demanding continued tribute from subjugated rulers and establishing several Nordic settlements within these conquered territories along the coast of the White Sea. By the 860s Harald's campaigns were focused on Valimia where he established the Jarldom of Haxland on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Valimia, establishing the state which would form the basis of modern Valimia. By the late 860s however, Harald's successes had led him to plan voyages even farther afield in search of greater wealth and status. This culminated in the southern campaigns which saw raids into modern-day Erjarvia, Rovina, and Dulebia. It was on this campaign, during a raid on the Kingdom of Pomoria, that Harald ultimately came to his demise. Ultimately, Harald was killed during a raid on the city of Ulbia, with his army soon retreating back to Norden. In the aftermath of his death, Harald's various sons feuded over the remnants of his empire, leading to its demise and division into various independent Kingdoms and Jarldoms.

Initially, many of the finer details of Harald's life were unknown with most modern accounts of his life reliant on Old Nordic sagas and runestones, as well as oral tradition. Previously, the most complete account of Harald's life was outlined in the work of the medieval Dalish monk and historian Arne of Selby. However, Arne's account was known to contain numerous inaccuracies due to limited evidence, as well as numerous exaggerations or changes included for political or religious purposes. During the 1770s however, Nordic historian Johan Aukland published The History of Harald the Great which included evidence detailing Harald's life from newly discovered runestones and manuscripts. Though contemporary historians have questioned some of Aukland's work and new evidence has also emerged, his work remains the most complete and accurate account of Harald's life to date.

Issue and succession

Harald was known to have fathered at least seven children from numerous different women. Sources differ significantly as to the exact number, with some sources putting the number as high as fifteen. Nevertheless, only seven children can be officially attested to through evidence in sagas, runestones, or skaldic poetry. It is also unknown exactly with whom each of Harald's children was sired.

Name	Birth	Death	Notes
Magnus	c.832-34	c.864	Died in battle; had issue: Torbjörn Magnusson
Erling	c.834-36	875	Ruled Hamarland; had issue
Inge			had issue(?)
Cnut	c.837	896	Ruled Skjergard; had issue
Ragnar	c.839-843	c.892	Ruled Haxland; had issue
Freyja	c.846-58	922	Married Magnus of Hardlinge; had issue
Sten		929	Ruled Ræverby; had issue

The Haxland Runestone in the Museum of Paavalpori, reporting the death of Magnus Haraldsson

Harald's firstborn son Magnus Haraldsson was born at some point between 832 and 834 to a woman named Ingvild who also bore Harald's second son Erling. The parentage of both Magnus and Erling is perhaps the most credible of all of Harald's children given that Ingvild is directly mentioned as mother of both within the Saga of Harald Eriksson, detailing Harald's time in Falland, which is one of the earliest historical references to Harald the Great. Little is known about the life of Magnus, however evidence indicates that he died on his father's campaigns in Valimia at some point in the year 864, with a runestone erected in his memory in Haxland. The runestone itself translates as: "Harald raised this stone in memory of Magnus, his son, who died near [illegible] in Haxland."

Harald's second son Erling was born at some point between 834 and 836. He would accompany his father on his raids in Mascylla, Valimia, and Dulebia. Following Magnus' death Erling became Harald's primary heir and was initially appointed as Hárskati upon his father's death. However, this was disputed by his brothers and other clan chiefs who also claimed the title for themselves. Erling would thus solely rule over Hamarland where he sired numerous heirs, forming the basis of the medieval Kingdom of Hamarland. Numerous sources also suggest that Erling was active in raiding within western Berea, with accounts suggesting he was active in Falland and Sarrac during the 870s. Erling ultimately died in 875, with his son Harald Erlingsson taking the throne of Hamarland.

Evidence for Harald's third child and first daughter Inge is scant, with no clear indication of a date of birth or death. Nevertheless, Inge is mentioned as an "offspring of the Hárskati" within skaldic poetry. Given that Freyja is also confirmed as Harald's second daughter, this lends evidence to the notion that Inge was born at some point between 840 and 852. Scant evidence also suggests that Inge sired further issue with another clan chief or Jarl. The ruling House of Lysted in Norden claims descendance from Inge Haraldsdottir, though there is no clear evidence to prove this.

Harald's fourth child Cnut was born some time in the year 837 to an unknown woman. Numerous theories abound as to exactly who Cnut's mother was, with the most prevalent citing a Fallish princess allegedly kidnapped by Harald by the name of Kaelyn. Harald's fourth son named Ragnar was also believed to have been sired with Kaelyn, though most modern accounts dispute this.