NOTE: In the historical biographies on this web site, all capitals means the individual is a direct ancestor.
Also, I've color-coded my ancestors' names so that
Schmitt is white
Larson is blue
Farr is red
Helgeson is yellow
and indirect relatives are black.
If I'm related to them through more branches than just one, then there will be a mix of colors.
HARALD was descended from a royal Swedish family called the Ynglings and came to the throne of his father at age ten, ruling a small area around Oslo.
At one point in his reign he heard of a beautiful woman from Valders called GYDA. When asked to marry him, instead of eagerly complying, she not only refused but added insult to injury by telling him that she would not marry to a ruler with a small kingdom. She also said the she would marry him only if he was a ruler of all Norway, like the kings of Denmark and Sweden were rulers of all their lands. HARALD vowed he would not cut his hair until he had conquered Norway. It took him ten years, but he finally had all of Norway.
He went to his good friend RAGNVALD, (or, RONALD) to cut his hair. When RAGNVALD, saw the king’s hair, he exclaimed “Haarfagre” (or, beautiful and thick hair).
GYDA finally accepted the proposal and married HARALD FAIRHAIR.
HARALD was a strict ruler. Even his friend RAGNVALD, Earl of More, wasn’t spared when the king banished the earl’s son ROLLO.
ROLLO was banished from Norway when caught poaching the king’s cattle. King HARALD FAIRHAIR exiled RAGNVALD’s son, ROLF, who then led the Danes on an attack on Paris (895). The Franks let them settle at the Seine River (896), just as long as they protected Normandy from other Norse raids. ROLLO was baptized and made Duke of Normandy in 912.
Sources:
Chisholm, Jane. World History Dates. Usborne Illustrated World History series. Tulsa, OK: EDC, n.d. 26, 28. Fiske, Arland O. The Norwegian Heritage. Minot, ND: North American Heritage Press, 1990. 5-6.
Last updated 03/23/2005
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