Harald Hardrada: Mercenary, King, Last Viking

Harald Hardrada (Old Norse Haraldr harðráði, "the hard ruler") was a half-brother of the holy king Olav. At fifteen he fought in 1030 at the Battle of Stiklestad, in which Olav fell – and had to flee afterwards. That flight led him right across the world of his day.

From Kiev to Constantinople

Harald first went to the Rus in Kiev and then on to Byzantium, where he joined the Varangian Guard – the Norse bodyguard of the Eastern Roman emperor. He fought in the Mediterranean, in Asia Minor and in the Holy Land, gathered vast riches and a reputation as a fearless warrior. As a rich, experienced man he returned to the North.

King of Norway

Back home Harald became king of Norway in 1046. He ruled hard and single-mindedly (hence his byname), founded trading places – tradition links him with the rise of Oslo – and waged long wars against Denmark.

Stamford Bridge 1066 – the end of an era

In 1066 Harald claimed England and landed with a large army in the north. At Stamford Bridge the English king Harold Godwinson met him – and beat him crushingly. Harald Hardrada fell. A few weeks later Harold himself lost to the Normans under William the Conqueror at Hastings. Harald's death at Stamford Bridge is regarded by many historians as the end of the Viking Age.

"Wits must he have who wanders wide, but all is easy at home."Hávamál 5, after Henry A. Bellows 1923 (public domain)

Harald Hardrada gathers the whole Viking world into one life: from the fjords via Kiev and Constantinople to England. His fall in 1066 marks the end of an era – and the beginning of a new one.

Read more with us

Stamford Bridge 1066 · Cnut the Great · Leif Erikson · Rollo of Normandy · Ragnar's sons.

Sources & literature

Snorri Sturluson, Heimskringla; Anglo-Saxon Chronicle; Byzantine sources (including Kekaumenos); quote public domain (Bellows 1923).

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