Windh/Freise/Maurstad genealogy - Person Sheet
Windh/Freise/Maurstad genealogy - Person Sheet
NameHaakon I “The Good” HARALDSSON third King of Norway
Birthca 920
Death961, Håkonshella (near Bergen, Norway)
OccupationThird King of Norway (934-961)
EducationAttempted to introduce Christianity into Norway
ReligionHaakon never married
FatherKing Harald I “Haarfagre” “Fairhair” HALVDANSSON King of Norway (ca850-ca932)
MotherTora MOSTERSTRONG
Misc. Notes
Haakon is not mentioned in any narrative sources earlier than the late 12th century. According to this late saga tradition, Haakon was the youngest son of King Harald Fairhair, Norway’s first king, and Thora Mosterstang. He was born on the Håkonshella peninsula in Hordaland. King Harald determined to remove his youngest son out of harm's way and accordingly sent him to the court of King King Athelstan in England, where he was introduced to the Christian religion. On the news of Eric the Fairhair’s death, King Athelstan provided Haakon (then perhaps 15 years old) with ships and men for an expedition against his half-brother Eric Bloodaxe, who had been proclaimed the second king of Norway. At his arrival back in Norway, Haakon gained the support of the landowners by promising to give up the rights of taxation claimed by his father over inherited real property. Eric Bloodaxe soon found himself deserted on all sides, and saved his own and his family's lives by fleeing to the Orkney Islands. He had earned his name by murdering seven of his eight half brothers.
Some consider Haakon one of the mos eminent Scandinavian rulers of his time. He fostered the growth of governmental institutions but failed in his attempt to Christianize the lesser Norwegian chieftains.
Some consider Haakon one of the mos eminent Scandinavian rulers of his time. He fostered the growth of governmental institutions but failed in his attempt to Christianize the lesser Norwegian chieftains.