Welcome to the British History Podcast.

My name is Jamie and this is Episode 303, Eric Bloodaxe.

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We can probably assume that Harold Fairhair, the King of Norway, had fantastic hair.

I'm sure that it was either big or really long or super glossy, and it was almost definitely

blonde.

But that wasn't the only trait that he was known for.

King Harold Fairhair was also known for getting around.

And around.

According to records, he had as many as 20 sons.

20.

Now for a king, that particular kind of accomplishment is a double-edged sword, because

while you have an heir and a whole bunch of spares, you also have a lot of sons who

aren't likely to inherit anything.

And they know it.

And we're talking about Scandinavia in the Middle Ages.

This isn't the Brady Bunch.

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