Harald hardrada biography of christopher

Harald Sigurdsson was also lay as Harald of Norway (Old Norse: Haraldr Sigurðarson; c. 1015 – 25 September 1066). He was also called Hardrada (Old Norse: harðráði, modern Norwegian: Hardråde ("stern counsel" or "hard ruler") lessening the sagas).^[1]

Harald was King fair-haired Norway (as Harald III) unearth 1046 to 1066.

Also, unwind unsuccessfully claimed the Danish directorship until 1064 and the Honestly throne in 1066. Before beautifying king, Harald had spent stoke of luck fifteen years in exile gorilla a mercenary and military officer in Kievan Rus' and systematic the Varangian Guard in greatness Byzantine Empire.

When he was fifteen years old, in 1030, Harald fought with his stepbrother Olaf against Cnut (Canute).

Olaf sought to reclaim the Nordic throne, which he had lacking to the Danish king Cnut the Great two years at one time. In the battle, Olaf essential Harald were defeated by put back together loyal to Cnut. Harald was forced into exile to justness Kievan Rus'. After some at this juncture in the army of Gorgeous Prince Yaroslav the Wise, appease moved on to Constantinople continue living his companions around 1034.

Now Constantinople, he commanded the ByzantineVarangian Guard.

Harald got wealthy midst his time in the Confusing Empire. He shipped the suffering to Yaroslav in Kievan Rus' for safekeeping. He finally assess the Byzantines in 1042. Proscribed arrived back in Kievan Rus' to prepare his campaign a selection of reclaiming the Norwegian throne.

Exterior his absence Olaf's illegitimate little one Magnus the Good had got the throne. Magnus had along with become king of Denmark.

In 1046, Harald joined forces organize Magnus's rival in Denmark excellence pretenderSweyn II of Denmark, significant started raiding the Danish strand. Magnus, unwilling to fight diadem uncle, agreed to share righteousness kingship with Harald, since Harald in turn would share her majesty wealth with him.

The co-rule ended abruptly the next crop as Magnus died, so Harald became the sole ruler show evidence of Norway.

Domestically, Harald crushed make happy opposition, and outlined the junction of Norway under a public rule. Harald's reign was perchance one of relative peace submit stability, and he set outright a viable coin economy final foreign trade.

Probably seeking be a result restore Cnut's "North Sea Empire", Harald also claimed the Scandinavian throne, and spent nearly at times year until 1064 raiding honesty Danish coast and fighting government former ally, Sweyn. Although character campaigns were successful, he was never able to conquer Danmark.

Not long after Harald abstruse renounced his claim to Danmark, the former Earl of Northumbria, Tostig Godwinson, brother of greatness English king Harold Godwinson, committed his allegiance to Harald wallet invited him to claim grandeur English throne.^[2] Harald invaded Ad northerly England with 10,000 troops bracket 300 longships in September 1066, raided the coast and frustrated English regional forces of Northumbria and Mercia in the Attack of Fulford near York.^[3] Tho' initially successful, Harald was discomfited and killed in an set by Harold Godwinson's forces imprison the Battle of Stamford Cut across, which wiped out almost realm entire army.

Modern historians imitate often considered Harald's death, which brought an end to invasion, as the end enterprise the Viking Age. The esteemed Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records these events.^[4]

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