Sverd I Fjell – Swords In Rock: Battle Of Hafrsfjord Won By Harald Fairhair – First King Of Norway
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Three huge Viking swords tower over Hafrsfjord just outside Stavanger, Norway. This extraordinary artwork - Sverd I Fjell (Swords in Rock) was created to commemorate Norway's unification as a single kingdom in 872.
The three swords are more than just a tourist attraction. The monument is of great historical importance. The memorial was made by Friz Røed (1928-2002) and unveiled by King Olav in 1983.
Sverd i Fjell – Stavanger's impressive Viking monument. Image source.
It commemorates the Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872. It was at this place that Harald Fairhair (Norwegian: Harald Hårfagre) fought a battle that united Norway into one kingdom in 872 AD.
King Harald Fairhair - First King Of Norway
Harald Fairhair reigned from c. 872 to 930 and is today recognized as the first King of Norway.
Little is known about this royal personality. Although Harald's life is described in several of the Kings' sagas, they were written around three centuries after his lifetime. The lack of existing sources makes it very difficult to reconstruct his life.
The accounts of Harald and his life differ on many points, and some of the content may be uncertain. However, it is clear that in the 12th and 13th centuries, Harald played a crucial role
Harald Fairhair, in an illustration from the 14th century Flateyjarbók. Image credit: Tokle - Public Domain
In the early Middle Ages, Norway was divided into many small kingships. According to the sagas, Harald Fairhair (ca. 865 – ca. 933) united Norway into a single kingdom and played a crucial role in this political process.
The Battle of Hafrsfjord, which supposedly took place in about 885, is regarded as decisive in the unification of Western Norway. The battle is described in the Saga of Harald Fairhair in Snorri's Heimskringla.
According to Snorri's saga, King Harald Fairhair defeated several kings, but even before the battle, he controlled large parts of southeast Norway.
Other sources claim that the eastern part of Norway was under the Danish king. The Battle of Hafrsfjord marks the final crushing of opposition from Norway's southwestern portion.
The The naval battle in Hafrsfjord in about 872 AD is one of the largest in the history of Norway (Photo: Sola Historielag)
It made it possible for King Harald to subdue the country and collect taxes from a large part of it. Many defeated who would not submit to Harald's rule emigrated to Iceland.
Winning the Battle of Hafrsfjord resulted in King Harald I of Norway's declaration to become the sole ruler of Norway. This battle may have been the largest in Norway up to that time and for a good while afterward.
The King's sons, Eric Bloodaxe and Haakon the Good, succeeded Harald in becoming kings after his death.
When we look at the three swords in the rock, we should not forget that they represent peace, unity, and freedom.
Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesReferences:
Thor News - Searching for Traces of the Battle of Hafrsfjord – 872 AD
The Stavanger Region – Swords in Rock
Heimskringla, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway
More From Ancient Pages
-
Stone Age People Lived In Reused Houses – Not Just Caves – Discovery In Norway Reveals
Archaeology | Jan 26, 2018 -
Ancient Mystery Of The American Southwest – Secrets Of The Cliff Dwellers – Part 1
Civilizations | Jul 23, 2018 -
A 500-Year-Old Stolen Copy Of da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” Painting – Found By Italian Police
News | Jan 20, 2021 -
Archaeologists Focus On Greek Poet Aratus’ Memorial Tomb And Ruins Of Soli Pompeiopolis
Archaeology | Aug 12, 2020 -
Ancient DNA Tells Story Of Caribbean’s Early Humans
Archaeology | Dec 28, 2020 -
Who Was The Sumerian Ensi?
Featured Stories | Jan 24, 2020 -
The Assyrian Siege Ramp And Breached Walls At Canaanite City Of Lachish – Studied
Archaeology | Nov 10, 2021 -
Yew: Mysterious Ominous And Sacred Tree Revered By Our Ancestors Since The Dawn Of Civilization
Featured Stories | Feb 8, 2022 -
Ancient Shrine Of God Osiris-Ptah Neb And Rare Bust Of Emperor Marcus Aurelius Discovered In Egypt
Archaeology | Apr 28, 2018 -
Kussara – Ancient Lost City Of The Old Hittite Kingdom
Featured Stories | Jul 7, 2021 -
Curious Bannerstones Used By Prehistoric Native Americans For Unknown Purpose
Artifacts | May 31, 2021 -
Magnificent Virtual 3D Tour Of Famous Temples Of Baalbek – Now Available To Anyone
News | Apr 7, 2021 -
This Is The Mysterious Hilltop Where Civilization Began Scientists Say
Archaeology | Jun 24, 2022 -
Jedek: Previously Unidentified Language Found By Swedish Linguists In in Southeast Asia
Linguistic Discoveries | Feb 9, 2018 -
Geb – Egyptian God Of Earth And Member Of The Ennead – His Laughter Created Earthquakes
Egyptian Mythology | Feb 12, 2019 -
Clothing And Jewelry In Ancient Egypt – How Did The Ancient Egyptians Dress?
Ancient History Facts | Jun 7, 2020 -
Nippur – Holy City Of God Enlil And One Of The Oldest Cities Of Sumer
Featured Stories | Jun 8, 2020 -
Mystery Of The Delphi Oracle Prophecies: Was Pythia On Drugs While Guiding Ancient Greek Civilization For Thousands Of Years?
Civilizations | Nov 3, 2016 -
Neanderthals Are Not The Only Species Whose Dentition Is Characterized By The Possession Of Thin Enamel
Archaeology | Jan 19, 2023 -
Amazing Prehistoric Forest Submerged Under Water Thousands Of Years Ago Re-Emerges On Welsh Beach
Archaeology | Nov 11, 2022