Harald Gråfell (Greyskin) was the son of Eirik Blodøks (Bloodaxe), and a grandson of Harald Hårfagre (Hairfair). His mother was Gunnhild. He was king of Norway between ca. 960-970. In the Saga of the Sons of Eirik (Bloodaxe), Gunnhild and her sons talks together how to win fully the kingdom of Norway.

Gunnhild, the King-mother, and her sons talked often together about the government of the country. Once Gunnhild asked her sons: "What do you intend to do with your kingdom of Trøndelag. You have the title of king as your forefathers had before you; but you have little land and people, and there are many to divide with. In Viken there are Tryggve (Olavsson who ruled Vestfold) and Gudrød (Bjørnsson) in the east, and they have some right to their governments because of relationship. However, there is besides Sigurd Jarl (Earl of Lade) ruling over the whole Trøndelag, and no reason can I see why you let so large a kingdom be ruled by a jarl (an earl), and not by yourselves; and it appears strange to me that you go every summer upon viking raids against other lands, and allow a jarl within the country to take your father's heritage from you. King Harald (Hairfair), your grandfather, whose name you bear, thought it but a small matter to take an jarl's life and land when he subdued all Norway, and held it under him to old age."

Harald (later known as Greyskin) replied, "It is not so easy, mother, to cut off Sigurd Jarl as to slay a kid or a calf. Sigurd Jarl is of high birth, powerful in relations, popular, and wise; and I think if the Trøndelag people knew for certain there was enmity between us, they would all take his side, and we could expect only evil from them. I don't think it would be safe for any of us brothers to fall into the hands of the people of Trøndelag."

Then said Gunhild, "We shall go to work another way, and not put ourselves forward. Harald and Erling shall rule Nordmøre this autumn, and there I shall meet you, and we shall consult together what is to be done." This was done by them.

Room name: Saga (Norse), noun: saga; rumr (Norse), noun: room.

Main Photo: Halfdan Egedius: "Tore Hund går ned til bryggja med spydet Selshevner" ("Tore Hound goes down to the harbour carrying the spear Sel-revenger"), the Saga of Olav the Holy in Heimskringla.