Harald the Great
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| 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 Knut of Skjergard Ragnar of Haxland Freja 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), 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 817 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.