Harald Fairhair, the legendary first King of Norway, is depicted as a handsome, ambitious warrior who unified the land by vowing not to cut or comb his hair until he ruled all of Norway, earning him the nickname "Tangle-hair" until he won the Battle of Hafrsfjord (c. 872) and finally trimmed his beautiful, golden locks to become "Fairhair". Sagas portray him as strong, wise, and a powerful sea-king, but also strict, imposing high taxes, which drove many to settle in Iceland and the Faroe Islands, making him a pivotal, if controversial, figure who forged a single Norwegian kingdom.

Physical & Character Traits (Saga Descriptions)
Handsome & Strong: Described as unusually good-looking, tall, and strong.
Ambitious: Driven by a vow to win the hand of a noblewoman (Gyda), leading to the unification of Norway.
Wise & Generous (to supporters): Valued skalds (poets) and rewarded loyal followers, but also harsh on enemies.
Fierce Warrior: A skilled sea-king and commander, famous for his victory at Hafrsfjord.
Iconic Hair: His hair grew long and unkempt (Tangle-hair) during his conquests, then became his namesake (Fairhair) after he cut it.

Key Actions & Legacy
Unification of Norway: Ended centuries of small kingdoms by conquering rivals, establishing the first unified kingdom of Norway.
Viking Raids: A successful sea-king who sailed far and wide on raids.
Foundation of Diaspora: His strict rule and high taxes caused many Norwegians to flee, settling Iceland and the Faroes.

Historical Context: He is a central figure in the sagas, though modern historians debate the exact historical accuracy, viewing him partly as a legendary figure created to legitimize later kings. His unification under the Yngling dynasty was a crucial turning point in Norwegian history, leading to a distinct national identity.