In the Icelandic poem Hrafnsmál, the historical Norwegian king praised in skaldic verse is Harald Fairhair.
Hrafnsmál, also known as Haraldskvæði, is a partly preserved Old Norse poem about Harald Fairhair and his court. It uses a question-and-answer framework involving a valkyrie and a raven, giving the poem an unusually vivid literary voice while describing the king’s warriors, feasting, and reputation.
The poem is traditionally associated with the skald Þorbjörn hornklofi. Because medieval attribution and dating can be difficult, scholars discuss its composition and transmission cautiously. It is generally connected with the late ninth century and Harald’s rise to power.
Harald Fairhair is often described in later tradition as the first king to unite Norway, although historians debate how literally that claim should be understood. Hrafnsmál remains an important literary source for the image of his kingship.