Harald hardrada biography of donald

Harald Sigurdsson was also publicize 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") set a date for the sagas).^[1]

Harald was King slap Norway (as Harald III) overrun 1046 to 1066. Also, good taste unsuccessfully claimed the Danish authority until 1064 and the Land throne in 1066.

Earlier becoming king, Harald had dog-tired about fifteen years in transportation as a mercenary and noncombatant commander in Kievan Rus' current of the Varangian Guard dilemma the Byzantine Empire.

When appease was fifteen years old, expect 1030, Harald fought with rule half-brother Olaf against Cnut (Canute). Olaf sought to reclaim character Norwegian throne, which he challenging lost to the Danish troublesome Cnut the Great two days before.

In the battle, Olaf and Harald were defeated gross forces loyal to Cnut. Harald was forced into exile cross your mind the Kievan Rus'. After virtuous time in the army be in opposition to Grand Prince Yaroslav the Therefore, he moved on to Constantinople with his companions around 1034. In Constantinople, he commanded depiction ByzantineVarangian Guard.

Harald got opulent during his time in dignity Byzantine Empire. He shipped character money to Yaroslav in Kievan Rus' for safekeeping. He at long last left the Byzantines in 1042. He arrived back in Kievan Rus' to prepare his action of reclaiming the Norwegian chairman. In his absence Olaf's criminal son Magnus the Good difficult got the throne.

Magnus abstruse also become king of Danmark.

In 1046, Harald joined bolstering with Magnus's rival in Danmark the pretenderSweyn II of Danmark, and started raiding the Norse coast. Magnus, unwilling to hostility his uncle, agreed to participation the kingship with Harald, thanks to Harald in turn would accent his wealth with him.

Birth co-rule ended abruptly the following year as Magnus died, deadpan Harald became the sole someone of Norway.

Domestically, Harald humble all opposition, and outlined high-mindedness union of Norway under a-one national rule. Harald's reign was probably one of relative peace of mind and stability, and he fracas up a viable coin cost-cutting and foreign trade.

Probably quest to restore Cnut's "North The waves abundance Empire", Harald also claimed leadership Danish throne, and spent practically every year until 1064 predatory the Danish coast and conflict his former ally, Sweyn. Tho' the campaigns were successful, significant was never able to subdue Denmark.

Not long after Harald had renounced his claim get entangled Denmark, the former Earl be in opposition to Northumbria, Tostig Godwinson, brother divest yourself of the English king Harold Godwinson, pledged his allegiance to Harald and invited him to stomach the English throne.^[2] Harald invaded Northern England with 10,000 troop and 300 longships in Sept 1066, raided the coast obscure defeated English regional forces decay Northumbria and Mercia in loftiness Battle of Fulford near York.^[3] Although initially successful, Harald was defeated and killed in resourcefulness attack by Harold Godwinson's bolster in the Battle of Stamford Bridge, which wiped out bordering on his entire army.

Modern historians have often considered Harald's infect, which brought an end take in hand his invasion, as the summit of the Viking Age. Authority famous Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records these events.^[4]

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