OLAFSSON Halfdan

Abt 0704 - 0750  (46 years)

• Name	OLAFSSON Halfdan
  Birth	Abt 0704	Scandinavia (Norway)
  Gender	Male
  Death	0750	Scandinavia (Norway)
  Notes	Halfdan Whiteshanks (Old Norse: Hálfdan hvítbeinn) was a mythical petty king in Norway, described in Ynglinga saga. The following description is based on the account in Ynglinga saga, written in the 1220s by Snorri Sturluson. The historicity of the kings described in that saga is generally not accepted by modern historians. He was the son of Olof Trätälja (Treefeller) of the House of Yngling. His father was sacrificed to Odin by the Swedish settlers in Värmland because of a famine. Some Swedes, however, realised that the famine was brought by overpopulation and not by the fact that the king had been neglecting his religious duties. Consequently, they resolved to cross the Ed Forest and settle in Norway and happened to end up in Soleyar where they killed king Sölve and took Halfdan prisoner. The Swedish expatriates elected Halfdan king as he was the son of their old king, Olof. Halfdan subjugated all of Soleyar and took his army into Romerike and subjugated that province as well. Halfdan was to become a great king, who married Åsa, the daughter of king Eystein, the ruler of Oppland and Hedmark. They had two sons, Öystein Halfdansson and Gudröd. Halfdan conquered a large part of Hedemark, Toten, Hadeland and a part of Vestfold. When his brother Ingjald Olofsson died, he inherited Värmland. Halfdan died of old age in Toten and was transported to Vestfold where he was buried under a mound in Skiringssal. [1] Sources ↑ Snorri Sturluson: Sagas of the Norse Kings. Ynglinga Saga:Translated by Samuel Laing, revised by Peter Foote MA. Everyman's Library Dutton New York SBN 460 00847 1 Page 39 Snorri Sturluson: Sagas of the Norse Kings. Translated by Samuel Laing, revised by Peter Foote MA. Everyman's Library Dutton New York SBN 460 00847 1 Page 38/39 " Olaf and Solva had two sons Ingjald and Halfdan Hvitbein.........Halfdan was married to Aasa a daughter of Eystein the Severe. Halfdan and Aasa had two sons, Eystein and Gudrodhe lived be an old man and died in his bed at Toten, and was buried under a mound at Skiringsale."
  Person ID	I58719	Freeman-Smith
  Last Modified	27 Jan 2026

  
  

  Father	INGJALDSSON Olaf Trätälja,   b. Abt 0684, Scandinavia d. Abt 0740, Scandinavia (Age 56 years)
  Relationship	natural
  Mother	HALFDANSDOTTIR Solva,   b. Abt 0650, Scandinavia d. 0704, Norway (Age 54 years)
  Relationship	natural
  Family ID	F26140	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	EYSTEINSDOTTIR Åsa,   b. Abt 0708, Oppland, Norway d. Norway
  Children	1. HALFDANSSON Eystein,   b. 0725, Raumariki, Vestfold, Norway d. 0780, Varna, Sweden (Age ~ 55 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
  Family ID	F26139	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	27 Jan 2026