Harald Hardrada

Harald Sigurdsson (

In 1046, Harald joined forces with Magnus's rival in Denmark (Magnus had also become king of Denmark), the pretender Sweyn II of Denmark, raiding the Danish coast. Magnus, unwilling to fight his uncle, agreed to share the kingship with Harald, since Harald in turn would share his wealth with him. The co-rule ended abruptly the next year as Magnus died: Harald became the sole ruler of Norway. Domestically, Harald crushed all local and regional opposition, and outlined the territorial unification of Norway under a national governance. Harald's reign was probably one of relative peace and stability, and he instituted a viable coin economy and foreign trade. Probably seeking to restore Cnut's "North Sea Empire", Harald also claimed the Danish throne, and spent nearly every year until 1064 raiding the Danish coast and fighting his former ally, Sweyn. Although the campaigns were successful, he was never able to conquer Denmark.

Not long after Harald had renounced his claim to Denmark, the former Earl of Northumbria, Tostig Godwinson, brother of the newly chosen (but reigning not for long) English king Harold Godwinson (also known as Harold of Wessex), pledged his allegiance to Harald, inviting him to claim the English throne. Harald assented, invading northern England with 10,000 troops and 300 longships in September 1066, raiding the coast and defeating the English regional forces of Northumbria and Mercia in the Battle of Fulford near York on 20 September. Although initially successful, Harald was defeated and killed in a surprise attack by Harold Godwinson's forces in the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September, which wiped out almost his entire army. Modern historians have often considered Harald's death, which brought an end to his invasion, as the end of the Viking Age.

Epithets

Harald's most famous epithet is Old Norse harðráði, which has been translated variously as 'hard in counsel', 'tyrannical',^[4] 'tyrant', 'hard-ruler', 'ruthless', 'savage in counsel', 'tough', and 'severe'.^[5] While Judith Jesch has argued for 'severe' as the best translation,^[6] Alison Finlay and Anthony Faulkes prefer 'resolute'.^[5] Harðráði has traditionally been Anglicised as 'Hardrada', though Judith Jesch characterises this form as 'a bastard Anglicisation of the original epithet in an oblique case'.^[6] This epithet predominates in the later Icelandic saga-tradition.^[7]

However, in a number of independent sources associated with the British Isles, mostly earlier than the Icelandic sagas, Harald is given epithets deriving from Old Norse hárfagri (literally 'hair-beautiful'). These sources include:

• Manuscript D of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle ('Harold Harfagera', under the year 1066) and the related histories by Orderic Vitalis ('Harafagh', re events in 1066), John of Worcester ('Harvagra', s.aa. 1066 and 1098), and William of Malmesbury (Gesta regum Anglorum, 'Harvagre', regarding 1066).
• Marianus Scotus of Mainz
  ('Arbach', d. 1082/1083).
• The Life of
  Gruffydd ap Cynan
  ('Haralld Harfagyr', later twelfth century).

In Icelandic sagas the name Harald Fairhair is more famously associated with an earlier Norwegian king, and twentieth-century historians assumed that the name was attached to Harald Hardrada in error by Insular historians. However, recognising the independence of some of the Insular sources, historians have since favoured the idea that Harald Hardrada was widely known as Harald Fairhair, and indeed now doubt that the earlier Harald Fairhair existed in any form resembling the later saga-accounts.^[8][9][7]

Harald was born in Ringerike, Norway^[12] in 1015 (or possibly 1016)^[a][13] to Åsta Gudbrandsdatter and her second husband Sigurd Syr. Sigurd was a petty king of Ringerike, and among the strongest and wealthiest chieftains in the Uplands.^[14] Through his mother Åsta, Harald was the youngest of King Olaf II of Norway / Olaf Haraldsson's (later Saint Olaf) three half-brothers.^[15] In his youth, Harald displayed traits of a typical rebel with big ambitions, and admired Olaf as his role model. He thus differed from his two older brothers, who were more similar to their father, down-to-earth and mostly concerned with maintaining the farm.^[16]

The Icelandic sagas, in particular Snorri Sturluson in Heimskringla, claim that Sigurd, like Olaf's father, was a great-grandson of King Harald Fairhair in the male line. Most modern scholars believe that the ancestors attributed to Harald Hardrada's father, along with other parts of the Fairhair genealogy, are inventions reflecting the political and social expectations of the time of the authors (around two centuries after Harald Hardrada's lifetime) rather than historical reality.^[15][17] Harald Hardrada's alleged descent from Harald Fairhair is not mentioned and played no part during Harald Hardrada's own time, which seems odd considering that it would have provided significant legitimacy in connection with his claim to the Norwegian throne.^[15]

Following a revolt in 1028, Harald's brother Olaf was forced into exile until he returned to Norway in early 1030. On hearing news of Olaf's planned return, Harald gathered 600 men from the Uplands to meet Olaf and his men upon their arrival in the east of Norway. After a friendly welcome, Olaf went on to gather an army and eventually fight in the

Harald was not affected by Maniakes' conflict with Emperor Michael IV, and received honours and respect upon his return to Constantinople. In a Greek book written in the 1070s, the Strategikon of Kekaumenos, Araltes (i.e. Harald) is said to have won the favour of the emperor.^[43][44][45] The book says that the Byzantine emperor first appointed him manglabites (possibly identified with the title protospatharios), a soldier of the imperial guard, after the Sicilian campaign.^[41][46] Following the campaign against the Bulgarians, in which Harald again served with distinction, he received the rank while at Mosynopolis^[47] of spatharokandidatos, identified by DeVries as a promotion to the possibly third highest Byzantine rank, but by Mikhail Bibikov as a lesser rank than protospatharios that was ordinarily awarded to foreign allies to the emperor.^[41] The Strategikon indicates that the ranks awarded to Harald were rather low, since Harald reportedly was "not angry for just having been appointed to manglabites or spatharokandidatos".^[48] According to his skald Þjóðólfr Arnórsson, Harald had participated in eighteen greater battles during his Byzantine service.^[15] Harald's favour at the imperial court quickly declined after the death of Michael IV in December 1041, which was followed by conflicts between the new emperor Michael V and the powerful empress Zoe.^[49]

During the turmoil, Harald was arrested and imprisoned, but the sources disagree on the grounds.^[50] The sagas state that Harald was arrested for defrauding the emperor of his treasure, as well as for requesting marriage^[51] with an apparently fictional niece or granddaughter^[15] of Zoe, called Maria (his suit supposedly being turned down by the empress because she wanted to marry Harald herself). William of Malmesbury states that Harald was arrested for defiling a noble woman, while according to Saxo Grammaticus he was imprisoned for murder. DeVries suggests that the new emperor may have feared Harald because of his loyalty to the previous emperor.^[51] The sources also disagree on how Harald got out of prison, but he may have been helped by someone outside to escape in the midst of the revolt that had begun against the new emperor. While some of the Varangians helped guard the emperor, Harald became the leader of the Varangians who supported the revolt. The emperor was in the end dragged out of his sanctuary, blinded and exiled to a monastery, and the sagas claim that it was Harald himself who blinded Michael V (or at least claimed to have done so).^[52]

Back to Kievan Rus'

Harald became extremely rich during his time in the east, and secured the wealth collected in Constantinople by shipments to Kievan Rus' for safekeeping (with Yaroslav the Wise acting as safekeeper for his fortune).^[53] The sagas note that aside from the significant spoils of battle he had retained, he had participated three times in polutasvarf (loosely translated as "palace-plunder"),^[54] a term which implies either the pillaging of the palace exchequer on the death of the emperor, or perhaps the disbursement of funds to the Varangians by the new emperor in order to ensure their loyalty.^[55] It is likely that the money Harald made while serving in Constantinople allowed him to fund his claim for the crown of Norway.^[54] If he participated in polutasvarf three times, these occasions must have been the deaths of Romanos III, Michael IV, and Michael V, in which Harald would have opportunities, beyond his legitimate revenues, to carry off immense wealth.^[56]

After Zoe had been restored to the throne in June 1042 together with

It is possible that the marriage with Elisiv had been agreed to already during Harald's first time in Rus', or that they at least had been acquainted. During his service in the Byzantine Empire, Harald composed a love poem which included the verse "Yet the goddess in Gardarike / will not accept my gold rings"[61] (whom Snorri Sturluson identifies with Elisiv), although Morkinskinna claims that Harald had to remind Yaroslav of the promised marriage when he returned to Kiev.^[62] According to the same source, Harald had spoken with Yaroslav during his first time in Rus', requesting to marry Elisiv, only to be rejected because he was not yet wealthy enough.^[63] It is in any case significant that Harald was allowed to marry the daughter of Yaroslav, since his other children were married to figures such as Henry I of France, Andrew I of Hungary and the daughter of Constantine IX.^[60]

King of Norway

Return to Scandinavia

Seeking to regain for himself the kingdom lost by his half-brother Olaf Haraldsson,

Having heard of Sweyn's defeat by Magnus, Harald met up with his fellow exile in Sweden (who was also his nephew), as well as with the Swedish king Anund Jacob,^[15] and the three joined forces against Magnus. Their first military exploit consisted of raiding the Danish coast.^[71] The purpose of that was to impress the natives by demonstrating that Magnus offered them no protection, and thus leading them to submit to Harald and Sweyn. Learning about their actions, Magnus knew that their next target would be Norway.^[72] Harald may have planned to be taken as king of his father's petty kingdom, and thereafter claim the rest of the country.^[73] In any case, the people were unwilling to turn against Magnus, and on hearing news of Harald's schemes, Magnus (abroad at the time) went home to Norway with his entire army.^[73] Instead of going to war, Magnus's advisors recommended the young king not fight his uncle, and a compromise was reached in 1046 in which Harald would rule Norway (not Denmark) jointly with Magnus (although Magnus would have precedence). Notably, Harald also had to agree to share half of his wealth with Magnus, who at the time was effectively bankrupt and badly in need of funds. During their short co-rule, Harald and Magnus had separate courts and kept to themselves, and their only recorded meetings nearly ended in physical clashes.^[74][75]

In 1047, Magnus and Harald went to Denmark with their

Under Harald's rule, Norway introduced a royal monopoly on the minting of coins.[80] The coins minted under Harald's rule appear to have been accepted as a commonly used currency (as opposed to continued use of primarily foreign-minted coins).^[80] Minting of coins likely provided a substantial part of Harald's annual revenues.^[80] Minting of coinage collapsed in Norway in the late 14th century.^[80]

Invasions of Denmark

Harald also wanted to re-establish Magnus's rule over Denmark,

The second, more significant battle, a naval encounter, was the Battle of Niså on 9 August 1062. As Harald had not been able to conquer Denmark despite his raids, he wanted to win a decisive victory over Sweyn. He eventually set out from Norway with a great army and a fleet of around 300 ships. Sweyn had also prepared for the battle, which had been preassigned a time and place. Sweyn did not appear at the agreed time, and Harald thus sent home his non-professional soldiers (bóndaherrinn), which had made up half of his forces. When the dismissed ships were out of reach, Sweyn's fleet finally appeared, possibly also with 300 ships. The battle resulted in great bloodshed as Harald defeated the Danes (70 Danish ships were reportedly left "empty"), but many ships and men managed to escape, including Sweyn.^[87] During the battle, Harald actively shot with his bow, like most others in the early phase of the battle.^[88]

Fatigue and the huge cost of the indecisive battles eventually led Harald to seek peace with Sweyn, and in 1064 (or 1065 according to Morkinskinna) the two kings agreed on an unconditional peace agreement.^[89] By the agreement, they retained their respective kingdoms with the former boundaries, and there would be no payments of reparations. In the subsequent winter of 1065, Harald travelled through his realm and accused the farmers of withholding taxes from him. In response, he acted with brutality, and had people maimed and killed as a warning to those who disobeyed him.^[90] Harald maintained control of his nation through the use of his hird, a private standing army maintained by Norwegian lords. Harald's contribution to the strengthening of Norway's monarchy was the enforcement of a policy that only the king could retain a hird, thus centralising power away from local warlords.^[91]

Domestic opposition

According to historian

It was from his power-struggle with the Norwegian aristocracy that Harald got himself the reputation that gave him the nickname "Hardrada", or "the hard ruler".[96] Although the relationship between Harald and Einar was poor from the start, confrontation did not occur before Harald went north to his court in Nidaros. One time in Nidaros, Einar arrived at Harald's court, and in a display of power was accompanied by "eight or nine longships and almost five hundred men", obviously seeking confrontation. Harald was not provoked by the incident. Although the sources differ on the circumstances, the next event nonetheless led to the murder of Einar by Harald's men, which threatened to throw Norway into a state of civil war. Although the remaining descendants of Haakon Sigurdsson considered rebellion against the king, Harald eventually managed to negotiate peace with them, and secured the family's submission for the remainder of his reign.^[97][98] By the death of Einar and his son around 1050, the Earls of Lade had outplayed their role as a base of opposition, and Trøndelag was definitely subordinated to Harald's national kingdom.^[92]

Before the Battle of Niså, Harald had been joined by Haakon Ivarsson, who distinguished himself in the battle and gained Harald's favour. Harald reportedly even considered giving Haakon the title of Earl, and Haakon was greatly upset when Harald later backed down from his promise. With a strong hold over the Uplands, Haakon was additionally given the earldom of Värmland by the Swedish king Stenkil. In early 1064, Haakon entered the Uplands and collected their taxes, the region thus effectively threatened to renounce their loyalty to Harald in response. The revolt of Haakon and the farmers in the Uplands may have been the main reason why Harald finally had been willing to enter a peace agreement with Sweyn Estridsson. After the agreement, Harald went to Oslo and sent tax collectors to the Uplands, only to find that the farmers would withhold their taxes until Haakon arrived. In response, Harald entered Sweden with an army and quickly defeated Haakon.^[99] Still facing opposition from the farmers, Harald embarked on a campaign to crush the areas that had withheld their taxes. Due to the remote location of the region in the interior of the country, the Uplands had never been an integrated part of the Norwegian king's realm. Using harsh measures, Harald burned down farms and small villages, and had people maimed and killed. Starting in Romerike, his campaign continued into Hedmark, Hadeland and Ringerike. Since the regions contained several rich rural communities, Harald strengthened his economic position by confiscating farming estates.^[92][100] By the end of 1065 there was probably peace in Norway, as any opposition had either been killed, chased into exile or silenced.^[101]

Policies

Harald's reign was marked by his background as a military commander, as he often solved disputes with a brute force. One of his skalds even boasted about how Harald broke settlements he had made, in his battles in the Mediterranean.^[15] While the sagas largely focus on Harald's war with Sweyn and the invasion of England, little is said about his domestic policies. Modern historians have taken this as a sign that, despite his absolute monarchy, his reign was one of peace and progress for Norway. Harald is considered to have instituted good economic policies, as he developed a Norwegian currency and a viable coin economy, which in turn allowed Norway to participate in international trade. He initiated trade with Kievan Rus' and the Byzantine Empire through his connections, as well as with Scotland and Ireland.^[102] According to the later sagas, Harald founded Oslo, where he spent much time.^[15]

Harald also continued to advance Christianity in Norway, and archaeological excavations show that churches were built and improved during his reign. He also imported bishops, priests and monks from abroad, especially from Kievan Rus' and the Byzantine Empire. A slightly different form of Christianity was thus introduced in Norway from the rest of northern Europe, although the East–West Schism had not yet taken place.^[103] Since the clergy was not ordained in England or France, it nonetheless caused controversy when Harald was visited by papal legates. The protests by the legates led Harald to throw the Catholic clergy out of his court, and he reportedly stated to the legates that "he did not know of any other archbishop or lord of Norway than the king himself".^[15][104] Norwegian historian Halvdan Koht has remarked that the "words seemed as if spoken by a Byzantine despot".^[15] It is possible that Harald maintained contacts with Byzantine emperors after he became king, which could suggest a background for his church policies.^[105]

Northern explorations

Once he had returned to Norway, Harald seems to have displayed an interest in exploring his own realm, as for instance the Morkinskinna recounts Harald's trip into the Uplands. Harald is also said to have explored the seas beyond his kingdom, as the contemporary Adam of Bremen reports of such naval expeditions conducted by Harald:^[106]

The most enterprising Prince Haraldr of the Norwegians lately attempted this [sea]. Who, having searched thoroughly the length of the northern ocean in ships, finally had before his eyes the dark failing boundaries of the savage world, and, by retracing his steps, with difficulty barely escaped the deep abyss in safety.

— Adam of Bremen, Gesta Hammaburgensis ecclesiae pontificum, 4. XXXIX

Kelly DeVries has suggested that Harald "may even have known of and sought out the legendary land called Vinland, which Viking sailors had discovered only a short time before", which Adam mentions earlier in the same passage to have been widely reported in Denmark and Norway.^[106] H. H. Lamb has on the other hand proposed that the land he reached may have been either Spitsbergen or Novaya Zemlya.^[107]

Invasion of England

Background and preparations

Shetland

Orkney

Dunfermline

Tynemouth, 8 September

class=notpageimage|

Route taken by Harald's fleet, 1066

Accepting he could not conquer Denmark, Harald switched attention to England; his claim was based on a 1038 agreement between Magnus and its previous ruler, Harthacnut, who died childless in 1042. The agreement stated that if either die, the other would inherit his lands; however, it was unlikely Magnus assumed he would gain the English throne without fighting. Harthacnut himself preferred his half-brother, Edward the Confessor, who became king with the backing of Earl Godwin, father of Harold Godwinson. Plans by Magnus to invade England in 1045 were suspended, while he dealt with an uprising by Sweyn of Denmark.^[108]

After Magnus died in 1047, Harald took over his claim; however, Edward kept potential enemies happy by hinting they might succeed him; in addition to Harald, these included Sweyn, and

Harold's brother Tostig Godwinson, formerly Earl of Northumbria, now appeared on the scene; hoping to regain his titles and lands, he reportedly approached both William and Sweyn Estridsson for their support. However, since Northern England was the most suitable landing place for a Norwegian invasion, he was more valuable to Harald. Details are limited, but it is suggested Tostig sent a fellow exile, Copsig, to meet with Harald in Norway and agree plans, while he remained in France. If correct, this would also have allowed Tostig to increase both their chances by simultaneously supporting an invasion by William,^[112] who also claimed the throne.^[113]

In March or April 1066, Harald began assembling his fleet at Solund, in the Sognefjord, a process completed by the start of September 1066;^[114] it included his flagship, Ormen, or "Serpent".^[115] Before leaving Norway, he had Magnus proclaimed king of Norway, and left Tora behind, taking with him Elisiv, his daughters, and Olaf.^[116] En route, he stopped at the Norwegian-held islands of Shetland and Orkney, where he collected additional troops, including Paul and Erlend Thorfinnsson, the Earls of Orkney. At Dunfermline, he met Tostig's ally, Malcolm III of Scotland, who gave him around 2,000 Scottish soldiers.^[117]

Although possible he also met Tostig there, most sources suggest they linked up at Tynemouth, on 8 September, Harald bringing around 10–15,000 men, on 240–300 longships.^[118] Tostig had only 12 ships, his connections being far more significant.^[119] The chronicler, John of Worcester, suggests he left Flanders in May or June, raiding the heartland of Harold's estates in southern England, from the Isle of Wight to Sandwich. Having made it seem an attack from Normandy was imminent, he then sailed north, while his brother and most of his troops remained in the south, waiting for William.^[120]

Early raids, invasion, and Battle of Fulford

After embarking from Tynemouth, Harald and Tostig probably landed at the

Early on 25 September, Harald and Tostig departed their landing place at Riccall with most of their forces, but left a third of their forces behind. They brought only light armour, as they expected to just meet the citizens of York, as they had agreed the day before, at Stamford Bridge to decide on who should manage the town under Harald.[128] Once there Harald saw Godwinson's forces approaching, heavily armed and armoured, and greatly outnumbering Harald's. Although (according to non-saga sources) the English forces were held up at the bridge for some time by a single gigantic Norwegian, allowing Harald and Tostig to regroup into a shield-wall formation, Harald's army was in the end heavily beaten. Harald was struck in the throat by an arrow and killed early in the battle, later termed the Battle of Stamford Bridge, in a state of berserkergang, having worn no body armour and fought aggressively with both hands around his sword.^[129][130]

When the battle was almost over, some reserve forces from Riccall led by Eystein Orre finally appeared, but they were exhausted as they had run all the way. Eystein picked up Harald's fallen banner, the "Landwaster" (Landøyðan), and initiated a final counter-attack. Although they for a moment appeared to almost breach the English line, Eystein was suddenly killed, which left the rest of the men to flee from the battlefield.^[131] Among those left at Riccall after the battle, who were allowed to return home peacefully by the English forces, was Harald's son Olaf.^[132][133] Although sources state that Harald's remaining army only filled 20–25 ships on the return to Norway, it is likely that this number only accounts for the Norwegian forces. Most of the forces from Scotland and Orkney probably remained at Riccall throughout the battle (the earls Paul and Erlend Thorfinnsson are certainly known to have been stationed there the entire time), and has not been counted in the traditional figure.^[131]

Harold Godwinson's victory was short-lived, as only a few weeks later he was defeated by William the Conqueror and killed at the Battle of Hastings. The fact that Harold had to make a forced march to fight Hardrada at Stamford Bridge and then move at utmost speed south to meet the Norman invasion, all in less than three weeks, is widely seen as a primary factor in William's victory at Hastings.^[134]

Personal life

Harald is described by Snorri Sturluson to have been physically "larger than other men and stronger".^[66] It is said that he had light hair, a light beard, and a long "upper beard" (moustache), and that one of his eyebrows was somewhat higher situated than the other. He also reportedly had big hands and feet, and could measure five ells in height. It is not known whether Snorri's description of Harald's physical appearance actually represents historical facts.^[135] The tall stature of Harald is also substantiated by a story that relates that before the Battle of Stamford Bridge, Harold Godwinson offered Tostig back the earldom of Northumbria, and Harald "six feet of the ground of England, or perhaps more seeing that he is taller than most men" (according to Henry of Huntingdon)^[136] or "six feet of English ground, or seven feet as he was taller than other men" (according to Snorri Sturluson).^[137]

Harald himself composed

With regards to religion, Harald had, according to DeVries, a "religious inclination towards Christianity" and was "publicly close to the Christian Church", although he was influenced by the Eastern Christian culture of Kievan Rus' (Garderike) and the Byzantine Empire, having spent most of his life there. He was clearly interested in advancing Christianity in Norway, which can be seen by the continued building and improvement of churches throughout his reign. Despite this, DeVries notes that Harald's "personal morality appears not to have matched the Christian ideal", citing his marriage arrangements.[104]

Issue

Harald married Elisiv of Kiev (c. 1025 – after 1066) around 1044/45,^[142] and they had an unknown number, possibly several children. According to Snorri Sturluson, they had two daughters:^[143]

• Ingegerd (c. 1050 – c. 1120). Married first to the future Olaf I of Denmark, and after his death, to the future Philip of Sweden.^[144]
• Maria (died 25 September 1066). Promised away for marriage to Eystein Orre (brother of Tora Torbergsdatter
  ), but reportedly died on Orkney the same day that Harald (and Eystein) died at Stamford Bridge.

According to the sagas, Harald married Tora Torbergsdatter (c. 1025 – after 1066) around 1048.^[145] Some modern historians have disputed this, since Harald in that case would be in a bigamous marriage, as he was still married to Elisiv.^[146] It is nonetheless possible that such a marriage could take place in Norway in the 11th century, and although Harald had two wives, only Elisiv is noted to have held the title of Queen.^[147] Harald and Tora had at least two children:^[15][143]

• Magnus II (c. 1049 – c. 1069). Reigned as king of Norway from 1066 to 1069.
• Olaf III (c. 1050 – c. 1093). Reigned as king of Norway from 1067 to 1093.

Legacy

Burial

A year after his death at Stamford Bridge, Harald's body was moved to Norway and buried at the Mary Church in Nidaros (Trondheim). About a hundred years after his burial, his body was reinterred at the Helgeseter Priory, which was demolished in the 17th century.^[148] On 25 September 2006, the 940th anniversary of Harald's death, the newspaper Aftenposten published an article on the poor state of Norway's ancient royal burial sites, including that of Harald, which is reportedly located underneath a road built across the monastery site.^[148] In a follow-up article on 26 September, the Municipality of Trondheim revealed they would be examining the possibility of exhuming the king and reinterring him in Nidaros Cathedral, currently the burial place of nine Norwegian kings, among them Magnus the Good and Magnus Haraldsson, Harald's predecessor and successor respectively.^[149] A month later it was reported that the proposal to exhume the king had been scrapped.^[150]

Modern memorials

Two monuments have been erected in honour of Harald in Oslo, the city which he is traditionally held to have founded. A bronze relief on granite by Lars Utne depicting Harald on horseback was raised on the eponymously named square Harald Hardrådes plass in 1905. In 1950, a large relief by Anne Grimdalen, also of Harald on horseback, was unveiled on the western façade of the Oslo City Hall.^[151]

In popular culture

• Harald appears in a number of historical fiction books. In H. P. Lovecraft's novella The Call of Cthulhu, one key character "lay in the Old Town of King Harold Haardrada, which kept alive the name of Oslo during all the centuries that the greater city masqueraded as 'Christiana'." Justin Hill's Viking Fire is the second in his Conquest Trilogy, and tells the life of Harald in his own voice. He serves as the protagonist in two children's books by Henry Treece, The Last of the Vikings/The Last Viking (1964) and Swords from the North/The Northern Brothers (1967).^[152] He also appears as the protagonist in the trilogy The Last Viking (1980) by Poul and Karen Anderson, and in Byzantium (1989) by Michael Ennis, which chronicles Harald's career in the Byzantine Empire.^[153]
• The alternative history book
  Menorah among his treasures during his service in the Byzantine Varangian Guard.^[154] Harald also makes an appearance in Meadowland (2005) by Tom Holt.^[155]
• Harald's unorthodox departure from Constantinople is featured in music by the Finnish folk metal band Turisas in the song "The Great Escape"; in addition, he is followed loosely throughout the story of the albums The Varangian Way (2007) and Stand Up and Fight (2011).^[156]
• Harald is a playable character in the Mobile/PC Game Rise of Kingdoms.
• Harald is a playable character as "Harald Hardrada" in the turn-based strategy game Civilization VI. He is a leader of the Norwegian civilization.^[157]
• Harald is depicted in Netflix drama series Vikings: Valhalla. His role is played by English actor Leo Suter.
• Harald is depicted in Crusader Kings 3. He is the leader of Norway in 1066 and starts in a war with England.

Explanatory footnotes

1. ^ The sagas mention that Harald was fifteen years old at the time of the Battle of Stiklestad (1030).
2. ^ Cnut himself had adopted the triquetra from earlier Norse uses, viewing himself as a Scylding. His successors also used the symbol, and Harald in turn probably adopted it in order to claim his right to Denmark as heir to Magnus the Good and the Scyldings.

Citations

1. ^ Schive (1865) p. 26
2. ^ "Det store norske leksikon" (The Great Norwegian Encyclopedia)
3. ISBN 978-1-4728-4650-1
   .
4. ^ Cleasby, Richard and Gudbrand Vigfusson, An Icelandic-English Dictionary, 2nd edn by William A. Craigie (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1957), s.v. harðr.
5. ^ ^{a b} Snorri Sturluson, Heimskringla, trans. by Alison Finlay and Anthony Faulkes, 3 vols (London: Viking Society for Northern Research, 2011–15) (second edition 2016–), vol. 3 p. x.
6. ^ ^{a b} Judith Jesch, 'Norse Historical Traditions and Historia Gruffud vab Kenan: Magnus Berfoettr and Haraldr Harfagri', in Gruffudd ap Cynan: A Collaborative Biography, edited by K. L. Maund (Cambridge, 1996), pp. 117–147 (p. 139 n. 62).
7. ^
   doi:10.1484/J.VIATOR.5.112357
   .
8. ^ Judith Jesch, 'Norse Historical Traditions and Historia Gruffud vab Kenan: Magnus Berfoettr and Haraldr Harfagri', in Gruffudd ap Cynan: A Collaborative Biography, edited by K. L. Maund (Cambridge, 1996), pp. 117–147 (pp. 139–147).
9. ^ Shami Ghosh, Kings' Sagas and Norwegian History: Problems and Perspectives, The Northern World, 54 (Leiden: Brill, 2011), pp. 66–70.
10. doi:10.1484/J.VIATOR.5.112357
    .
11. ^ Krag, Claus (1995). Vikingtid og rikssamling 800–1130. Aschehougs norgeshistorie. Vol. 2. Oslo: Aschehoug. pp. 92–93 & 171.
12. ^ ^{a b} Hjardar & Vike (2011) p. 284
13. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 13
14. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 14
15. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m} Krag, Claus. "Harald 3 Hardråde". Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
16. ^ Tjønn (2010) pp. 15–16
17. ISBN 0-521-47299-7, pp. 185, 191
    .
18. ^ Tjønn (2010) pp. 17–18
19. ^ Blöndal & Benedikz (2007) p. 54
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21. ^ Tjønn (2010) pp. 21–22
22. ^ DeVries (1999) pp. 25–26
23. ^ DeVries (1999) p. 26
24. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 16
25. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 25
26. ^ DeVries (1999) p. 27
27. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 28
28. ^ DeVries (1999) p. 29
29. ^ DeVries (1999) pp. 29–30
30. ^ Blöndal & Benedikz (2007) pp. 60–62
31. ^ ^{a b} Blöndal & Benedikz (2007) p. 63
32. ^ ^{a b} DeVries (1999) p. 30
33. ^ DeVries (1999) pp. 30–31
34. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 43
35. ^ ^{a b} DeVries (1999) p. 31
36. ^ ^{a b} Tjønn (2010) p. 47
37. ^ Beeler (1971) p. 68
38. ^ Blöndal & Benedikz (2007) p. 70
39. ^ Gravett, Nicolle (2007) p. 102
40. ^ DeVries (1999) pp. 31–32
41. ^ ^{a b c} Bibikov (2004) p. 21
42. ^ Tjønn (2010) pp. 55–56
43. ^ Blöndal & Benedikz (2007) p. 57
44. ^ Bibikov (2004) p. 20
45. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 32
46. ^ DeVries (1999) p. 33
47. ISBN 978-1-84908-179-5
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50. ^ DeVries (1999) p. 34
51. ^ ^{a b} DeVries (1999) pp. 34–35
52. ^ ^{a b} DeVries (1999) pp. 35–38
53. ^ Thenrik Bimbaum, "Yaroslav's Varangian Connection" in Scando-Slavica, 1600–082X, Volume 24, Issue 1, 1978, Pages 5–25
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56. ^ Skaare (1995) p. 45
57. ^ Bagge (1990) p. 175
58. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 74
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63. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 27
64. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 83
65. ^ Blöndal & Benedikz (2007) p. 96
66. ^ ^{a b} DeVries (1999) p. 40
67. ^ DeVries (1999) pp. 40–41
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69. ^ Schive (1865) p. 24
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71. ^ Thunberg (2012) pp. 39–40
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73. ^ ^{a b} Tjønn (2010) p. 94
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75. ^ Tjønn (2010) pp. 95–102
76. ^ Tjønn (2010) pp. 102–103
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78. ^ ^{a b} Tjønn (2010) p. 103
79. ^ DeVries (1999) p. 57
80. ^
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88. ^ Hjardar & Vike (2011) p. 83
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91. ^ Popperwell, Ronald G., Norway (New York: Praeger Publishers, 1972), 79.
92. ^ ^{a b c} Moseng et al. (2019) p. 79
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95. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 115
96. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 114
97. ^ DeVries (1999) pp. 52–56
98. ^ Tjønn (2010) pp. 115–120
99. ^ Tjønn (2010) pp. 144–153
100. ^ Tjønn (2010) pp. 153–155
101. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 155
102. ^ DeVries (1999) pp. 46–47
103. ^ Jakobsson (2008)
104. ^ ^{a b} DeVries (1999) pp. 47–48
105. ^ Bagge (1990) pp. 176–177
106. ^ ^{a b} DeVries (1999) p. 49
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108. ^ Barlow 1970, pp. 55–57.
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110. ^ DeVries 1999, p. 78.
111. ^ DeVries 2001, pp. 67–68.
112. ^ DeVries (1999) pp. 231–240
113. ^ Tjønn (2010) p. 165
114. ^ DeVries (1999) p. 230
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117. ^ Hjardar & Vike (2011) pp. 284–285
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120. ^ DeVries (1999) pp. 242–243
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General sources

• Barlow, Frank (1970). Edward the Confessor. University of California.
  ISBN 978-0520016712
  .
• Beeler, John (1971). Warfare in Feudal Europe: 730–1200. Cornell University.
  ISBN 978-0-8014-9120-7
  .
• Bibikov, Mikhail (2004). "Byzantine Sources for the History of Balticum and Scandinavia". In Volt, Ivo; Päll, Janika (eds.). Byzanto-Nordica. Tartu, Estonia: Tartu University.
  ISBN 9949-11-266-4
  .
• ISBN 978-0-521-21745-3
  .
• ISBN 978-0-85115-763-4
  .
• DeVries, Kelly (2008). "Medieval mercenaries: methodology, definitions and problems". In France, John (ed.). Mercenaries and paid men: the mercenary identity in the middle ages: proceedings of Conference held at University of Wales, Swansea, 7th–9th july 2005. Brill. p. 58.
  ISBN 978-90-04-16447-5
  .
• DeVries, Kelly (2001). Harold Godwinson in Wales: Military Legitimacy in Late Anglo-Saxon England in The Normans and their Adversaries at War: Essays in Memory of C. Warren Hollister (Warfare in History). Boydell Press.
  ISBN 978-0851158471
  .
• Gravett, Christopher; Nicolle, David (2007). The Normans: Warrior Knights and Their Castles. Osprey.
  ISBN 978-1-84603-218-9
  .
• Henriksen, Vera (2011). Dronningsagaen; Kongespeil [Queen's Day; King's Mirror] (in Norwegian). Aschehoug.
  ISBN 978-8203350788
  .
• Hjardar, Kim; Vike, Vegard (2011). Vikinger i krig (in Norwegian). Spartacus.
  ISBN 978-82-430-0475-7
  .
• Jakobsson, Sverrir (2008). "The Schism that never was: Old Norse views on Byzantium and Russia". Byzantinoslavica. Slovanský ústav Akademie věd ČR, v. v. i. and Euroslavica. pp. 173–188.
• Moseng, Ole Georg; et al. (1999). Norsk historie: 750–1537 (in Norwegian). Vol. I. Aschehoug.
  ISBN 978-82-518-3739-2
  .
• van Nahl, Jan Alexander (2016). "The Medieval Mood of Contingency. Chance as a Shaping Factor in Hákonar saga góða and Haralds saga Sigurðarsonar". Mediaevistik, International Journal of Interdisciplinary Medieval Research 29. pp. 81–97.
• Schive, C. I. (1865). Norges Mynter i Middelalderen (in Norwegian). Christiania: H. Tønsberg.
• ISBN 82-00-22666-2
  .
• ISBN 978-0-19-821716-9
  .
• ISBN 82-991411-3-3
  .
• ISBN 978-91-981859-4-2
  .
• Tjønn, Halvor (2010). Harald Hardråde. Sagakongene (in Norwegian). Saga Bok/Spartacus.
  ISBN 978-82-430-0558-7
  .

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harald III of Norway.

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Harald".

• Haraldr Sigurðarson's arrival in Rus' and his participation in the campaign against Poland in 1031
• Saga of Harald Hardrade by Snorri Sturluson (c. 1230), English translation
• Ágrip (af Nóregskonungasögum) (c. 1180s), in Old Norse with English translation
• An Account of the Ancient History of the Norwegian Kings by Theodoric the Monk (c. 1180), English translation
• Morkinskinna (c. 1220s), in Old Norse
• Fagrskinna (c. 1220s), in Old Norse
• Flateyjarbók (14th/15th century), in Icelandic

Harald Hardrada House of Hardrada Cadet branch of the Fairhair dynasty Born: c. 1015 Died: 25 September 1066
Regnal titles
Preceded by Magnus I	King of Norway 1046–1066 with Magnus I (1046–1047)	Succeeded by Magnus II