In the summer of 994, although already married to Åsta, Harald traveled to the Baltic and proposed marriage to his foster-sister Sigrid. He had learned that her landholdings in Sweden were no less extensive than his own in Norway, and promised to abandon Åsta, who although "good and clever" was not as well-born as he was. Sigrid refused, objecting that Harald should feel fortunate in his existing marriage and that Åsta was carrying Harald's child.
In 1994, Harald's pursuit of Sigrid highlights a power dynamic between him and his existing wife, Åsta. He seeks to elevate himself by marrying another woman who possesses significant land holdings. This action is motivated by social status and ambition.