The process of the transfer of the ruling authority from the hands of the Hersir to those of the King cannot be clearly shown; it was most probably gradual and slow, the one being absorbed by the other. The dignity of Hersir was earlier than that of Konung.
At first the name of king was a dignity which implied power or rule with it; there were several grades.
The Fylki kings; the Herad kings; the Skatt kings = tax-kings or sub-kings; the Sea-kings, and the Host-kings.
The Herad-kings, the kings of the whole realm, who ruled over several Fylkis or Herads, were the most powerful. They were originally spiritual rulers, and traced their origin to Odin and his sons.
“At that time there were many kings in Upplönd who ruled over Fylkis, and most of them sprang from Harald Fairhair. Two brothers, Hrœrek and Hring, ruled Heidmörk, and Gudröd ruled the Gudbrandsdal. There was also a king in Raumaríki” (St. Ólaf, 34).
“Harald Fairhair reigned over Norway for a long time; but before that the country was ruled by many kings, some having one Fylki to govern, and others somewhat more. All these kings Harald deposed.... He placed a jarl in every Fylki, to rule the land and administer the laws” (Flateyjarbók).
Many of the bold spirits of the North could ill brook the yoke of the first king of Norway.
Sölvi, son of King Húnthjóf, escaped from a battle against Harald Fairhair in which his father fell. He went to King Arnvid of Sunnmœri and told him to fight against Harald.
“‘Though this trouble has come on our hands, it will not be long before the same will come on yours, for I guess that Harald will soon come here when he has subjugated and made thralls of any one he pleases in Nordmœri and Raumsdal. You will have to do the same as we had to do, defend your property and your freedom, and gather together all those from whom you may expect help. I offer my help and that of my warriors against this overbearing and insolence; else you must do like the men of Naumudal, go of your free will under his yoke and become his thralls. My father thought it a victory to die in his kingship with honour, rather than become the under-man[[489]] of another king in his old age. I expect thee to think the same, and others who are of some rank and wish to use their strength’” (Egil’s Saga, c. 3).
“Once King Hrólf invited his brother-in-law Hjörvard to a feast; while Hjörvard stayed at the feast it happened when the kings were outside that King Hrólf untied his breeches belt and meanwhile gave his sword to King Hjörvard; when King Hrólf had again fastened the belt he took back the sword, and said to King Hjörvard: ‘We both know that it has long been said, that he who receives the sword of another man while he unties his breeches belt, shall ever after be his under-man; now thou shalt be my under-king, and bear it as well as others.’ Hjörvard became exceedingly angry at this, but had to submit. He went home dissatisfied, nevertheless he paid tax to King Hrólf like others of his under-kings who had to pay him homage” (Hrólf Kraki’s Saga, c. 23).