Thomas Carlyle's vivid historical chronicle opens with the making of Norway itself: Harald Haarfagr's legendary rise from ambitious lover to first unifier of the realm, his vow to win Gyda and the kingdom before cutting his hair, and his hard conquest of the rival jarls. From there the narrative widens to the restless Norse age of expansion, evoking the settlements of Iceland, the Faroes, and Normandy, and the far-reaching careers of figures like Rolf the Ganger. The book then follows Harald's dynasty into turmoil—his allies, the harsh island rule of Turf-Einar, the murder of Rognwald, and the violent feuds among Harald's sons. A second great arc traces the rise of Hakon the Good, fostered in England and returned to challenge Eric Blood-axe, whose brutal reign has left Norway divided. Hakon emerges as a capable king and reformer, struggling to bring Christianity into a still-pagan land while facing peasant resistance, political compromise, and war with the sons of Eric and Denmark's King Blue-tooth. His heroic final victory and death give way to the collapse of England under Ethelred the Unready, the conquest of Svein, and the rule of Knut, whose disciplined strength briefly restores order to a shattered kingdom. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.