Harald Hardrada depicted in battle. From a 13th century chronicle. Image: Wikipedia. Public Domain.
Harald Hardrada: Harald Hard Ruler
Born in Ringerike, Norway, in 1015, Viking Harald Hardrada was a merciless warrior king who invaded countries, claimed thrones and riches and even attacked and pillaged his Norwegian chieftains. He was officially called Harald III Sigurdsson, and thanks to his ruthlessness, he earned the sobriquet Hardrada, meaning hard or stern ruler.
Harald was taught how to fight from an early age by his king-chieftain father, Sigurd Sow. His mother, Asta Gudbrandsdatter, had a son from her first marriage who, circa 1018, became Olaf II Haraldsson of Norway. He was later made a saint and the patron saint of Norway.
Aged fifteen, Harald fought his first battle in July 1030 at the legendary Battle of Stiklestad. This was Olaf II's unsuccessful attempt to reclaim Norway from Danish-born King Cnut (Canute), King of England, after two years spent in exile. A twice-injured Olaf II was fatally stabbed in the stomach with a spear, and Harald was lucky to survive.
The battle was memorable for being conducted during a solar eclipse. This was a bad omen for all participants. The Christians took the eclipse as a signal of God's displeasure, as with the loss of light at the crucifixion. The Norse pagans believed that the god Odin was looking down on them to choose who would enter Valhalla (the hall of the slain).
The Byzantine Empire's Vangarian Guard
Harald fled to Kievan Rus, where he served Yarolslav I, The Wise, Grand Prince of Kiev, as a mercenary. He was keen to marry Yaroslav's daughter Elizaveta, but his lack of fortune and land meant that he was not considered suitable.
Harald travelled to Constantinople in the Byzantine Empire ruled by Emperor Michael IV. He fought his way around Europe and into the Holy Land as a member of the renowned axe-wielding and hard-drinking Varangian Guard. Harald was soon their unofficial leader.
Emperor Michael IV's successor Michael V had his widow Empress Zoe arrested and banished to a nunnery. He disbanded the Vangarian Guard and formed his own guard. Zoe's incarceration led to a revolt, and the re-formed Vangarian Guard fought in her name. Michael V was overthrown within four months; legend has it that Harald pulled out Michael's eyes and that he subsequently died.
Harald Returns to Norway and Co-Rules With Magnus I Olafsson
Harald returned to Norway in 1045; during the previous fifteen years he had become an enviably rich man by collecting the spoils of war. He co-ruled with his nephew Magnus I Olafsson. Magnus negotiated a deal to enjoy Harald's wealth in return for a power share. Magnus was slain in battle against the Danes in 1047, and Harald became the undisputed king of Norway.
The following fifteen years were spent trying to oust Sweyn II of Denmark to extend his realm. In 1064 Sweyn and Harald were unable to break the stalemate of a two year long sea battle, so they agreed to recognise one another as the rulers of their respective countries and ended the conflict.
The peace did not extend beyond Denmark. Harald Hardrada set his sights on expansion across the North Sea and claimed the Orkney Islands to the north of Scotland.
He then mounted a bold campaign to claim the English throne. There were three other men in his way. Anglo-Saxon Harold Godwinson had proclaimed himself Harold II, but William of Normandy and Harold's relative Edgar Aetheling had good claims.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge
Harald Hardrada's ally was Anglo-Saxon king Harold II's vengeful brother Tostig. Eleven thousand Vikings disembarked from three hundred ships in September 1066 and overran northern England.
The Vikings made good progress, and they won the Battle of Fulford to seize the northern city of York. Harald and Tostig were probably feeling comfortably confident as dawn broke on 25th September 1066. They had no way of knowing that Harold II (Harold Godwinson) and his army of fifteen thousand men had travelled 175 miles from London to York in just four days to launch a brutal surprise attack on the Viking invaders.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire was overwhelmingly won by Harold II. Many of the Vikings didn't have their full armour with them, so they were easy to slaughter. Only twenty four of the original invasion force of three hundred ships were required to transport the Viking survivors home.
Tostig and Harald Hardrada also died that day; Harald's neck was punctured by an arrow. Most historians consider Harald Hardrada's death as the conclusion of the Viking age in England.
The Norman Era Begins in England
Harald's sons by Tora Torbergsdatter, Magnus and Olaf ruled Norway together until Magnus II's 1069 death. Olaf III remained king until 1093.
In England Harold II faced his own fatal battle three weeks after Harald. The Battle of Hastings on 14th October 1066 was fought against William of Normandy. After his victory, recorded in the Bayeaux Tapestry, the Norman was proclaimed William I, better known to many as William the Conqueror. Although Edgar Aetheling was named king by the Anglo-Saxon Council that October day, he was never crowned.
The Norman age in England had begun.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for your comment.