Gamle Eiriksson, Sigurd Sleva and Harald Greycloak,…

Gamle Eiriksson, Sigurd Sleva and Harald Greycloak, three of the sons of Eric Bloodaxe (Eirikssønnene) land unnoticed on Hordaland in 961 and surprise the king at Fitjar.

The battle is won by the forces of King Haakon, but he is wounded and eventually dies.

According to Snorri Sturluson, the king had wanted the Norwegians to accept the sons of Eric Bloodaxe to succeed him as king and thus end the war.

The Battle of Fitjar at Stord is the last battle in the war between the sons of Eric Bloodaxe and their uncle King Haakon the Good for power over Norway.

It also forms part of a contest between Norway and Denmark for control the area of Oslofjord.

After Haakon's death, Harald Greycloak and his brothers become kings of Norway, but they have little authority outside Western Norway.

In 961, their uncle King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark travels to Norway and declared Harald Greycloak, the third son of Eric Bloodaxe and the most powerful of the brothers by right of being the eldest surviving son, to be his vassal king in Norway.

The succession issue is finally settled as Harold ascends the throne as Harald II of Norway.

However, the Norwegians have been severely tormented by years of war.