Harald Hardrada: King of Norway

Summary

On September 20, 1066, the Battle of Fulford marked a pivotal moment in English history, as English Earls Edwin and Morcar faced the formidable Viking force led by Harald Hardrada. Despite initial success, Hardrada's ambition to restore the Northern Sea Empire was cut short by the swift arrival of King Harold Godwinson's army. The ensuing battle saw the end of the last great Viking invasion and the death of Harald, signaling the end of Scandinavian dominance in the British Isles.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ On September 20, 1066, the Battle of Fulford took place near the village of Fulford in northern England, marking a significant event in history.
• 🛡️ English Earls Edwin and Morcar, along with local lords, hastily assembled forces to defend against the last great Viking invasion led by Harald Hardrada.
• 🏰 Harald Hardrada was a renowned Viking warrior who had fought across the known world, including Palestine, Italy, Russia, and Ukraine, and was no stranger to battle.
• 🏹 Harald's elite soldiers, the housecarls, played a crucial role in routing the English forces during the battle, showcasing their tactical prowess.
• 🏙️ After the battle, Harald quickly took York and began preparations for the inevitable confrontation with the English King in London.
• 👑 Harald aimed to restore the northern sea empire once ruled by Knut, which included Norway, Denmark, and England, reflecting his ambition to reclaim Scandinavian dominance.
• 📜 Harald was a warrior poet who recorded his own deeds, reflecting his unique character as an adventurer and atypical Viking.
• 🛡️ Harald's early life was marked by rebellion and ambition, and he eventually found his fortune in the Kievan Rus' and the Byzantine Empire, rising to prominence in the Varangian Guard.
• 🏰 Harald's rule in Norway was characterized by successful domestic policies, including currency standardization and infrastructure development, influenced by his experiences in the Byzantine Empire.
• ⚔️ In 1066, Harald sought to take England for himself, aiming to reform the northern sea empire, in response to the death of Edward the Confessor and the ascension of Harold Godwinson.
• 💀 The Battle of Stamford Bridge on September 25, 1066, marked the end of Harald Hardrada's life and the last great Viking attempt to dominate England, as he was killed in a surprise attack by Harold Godwinson's forces.

Q & A

What significant battle took place on September 20, 1066, and where was it located?

The significant battle that took place on September 20, 1066, was the Battle of Fulford, located on the outskirts of the village of Fulford in northern England.

Who were the English leaders that faced the Viking invasion in the Battle of Fulford?

The English leaders who faced the Viking invasion in the Battle of Fulford were Earl Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria.

What was the background of Harald Hardrada, the Norwegian King in the Battle of Fulford?

Harald Hardrada was a famous Viking who had spent his lifetime adventuring and battling across the known world, from Palestine to Russia, and had carved out a fortune from the blood of his enemies.

What was Harald Hardrada's strategy during the Battle of Fulford?

Harald Hardrada's strategy was to charge into the weakest English point along with his elite housecarls, who had been lying in wait, and together they routed the English forces completely.

What did Harald Hardrada do after the Battle of Fulford?

After the Battle of Fulford, Harald Hardrada took York and began preparations for the inevitable attack from the English King in London.

What was Harald Hardrada's connection to the Byzantine Empire?

Harald Hardrada served the Byzantine Empire as a member of the elite Varangian Guard, rising in status to become a great leader within the guard and participating in numerous campaigns.

Why did Harald Hardrada return to Scandinavia from the Byzantine Empire?

Harald Hardrada returned to Scandinavia to claim the throne of Norway after the death of his half-brother, King Olaf Haraldson, and to win himself a kingdom or die in the process.

What was Harald Hardrada's title and what did it signify?

Harald Hardrada's title was 'Hardrada,' which means 'hard ruler' or 'stern counsel,' signifying his successful and strict rule over Norway.

What was the outcome of Harald Hardrada's attempt to take England in 1066?

Harald Hardrada's attempt to take England in 1066 ended in failure with his death at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, where he was killed by an arrow to the throat.

How did Harald Hardrada's death impact the future of Scandinavian influence in the British Isles?

Harald Hardrada's death marked the end of Scandinavian supremacy in the British Isles, as no Scandinavian army would ever again defeat an English war.

What was the significance of the Battle of Fulford in the context of the Viking Age?

The Battle of Fulford was significant as it represented one of the last great Viking invasions of England and showcased the might of the combined forces of the Kingdom of Norway and its allies.

Outlines

00:00

🛡️ The Battle of Fulford and Harald Hardrada's Viking Invasion

The first paragraph details the Battle of Fulford fought on September 20, 1066, where English Earls Edwin and Morcar faced the Viking invasion led by Harald Hardrada, the King of Norway. Harald, an experienced warrior with a history of battles across the known world, deployed his elite housecarls to exploit the English's weakest point, resulting in a decisive victory. He swiftly took York and began preparations for the inevitable counterattack from the English King in London. The paragraph also delves into Harald's background, from his birth in 1015 to his adventurous spirit, his service in the Byzantine Empire as part of the Varangian Guard, and his rise to power in Norway.

05:00

🏰 Harald Hardrada's Service to the Byzantine Empire and Rule in Norway

The second paragraph continues the narrative of Harald Hardrada's life, focusing on his service to the Byzantine Empire and his eventual rule in Norway. It describes his military campaigns in Asia Minor, Sicily, and Italy, and his rise to a high-ranking commander within the Varangian Guard. After amassing a significant fortune, Harald returned to Scandinavia around 1046, where he managed to secure joint leadership of Norway without conflict. Upon the death of his co-ruler, Magnus the Good, Harald became the sole king and embarked on a series of raids and invasions, including an unsuccessful attempt to conquer Denmark. His rule was marked by successful domestic policies, currency standardization, and the establishment of extensive trade networks.

10:00

⚔️ The Final Battle and the End of Scandinavian Supremacy in Britain

The third paragraph recounts the climactic Battle of Stamford Bridge, where Harald Hardrada faced an unexpected and swift attack from the English forces led by King Harold Godwinson. Despite initial Viking successes, the English army managed to surprise and overwhelm Harald's forces, resulting in Harald's death and the end of Scandinavian dominance in the British Isles. The paragraph highlights the dramatic end to Harald's life and the historical significance of the battle in shaping the future of England and Scandinavia.

Keywords

💡Fulford

Fulford is a village in northern England and the site of the Battle of Fulford, which took place on September 20, 1066. It is significant in the video's theme as it marks the location of the pivotal conflict between the English forces and the invading Viking army led by Harald Hardrada. The script describes the English Earls Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria gathering their forces to defend against the Viking invasion at Fulford.

💡Harald Hardrada

Harald Hardrada was the King of Norway and a famous Viking warrior. He is a central figure in the video's narrative as the leader of the last great Viking invasion of England. The script highlights his reputation as an adventurer and a seasoned warrior with a lifetime of battles and conquests across the known world, which is integral to understanding the historical context of the Battle of Fulford.

💡Viking invasion

The term 'Viking invasion' refers to the military campaigns undertaken by the Vikings, a seafaring people from the late eighth to early 11th century. In the video, it is used to describe the large-scale attack on England led by Harald Hardrada, which is a key event in the historical account presented. The invasion aimed to restore the northern sea empire that once included Norway, Denmark, and England.

💡Earls of England

In the context of the video, 'Earls of England' refers to the nobles Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria, who were regional leaders in England during the 11th century. They are significant to the video's theme as they represent the English nobility that opposed the Viking invasion, hastily gathering forces to defend their lands against Harald Hardrada's army.

💡Housecarls

Housecarls were the elite household troops of a Viking lord or king, known for their loyalty and fighting prowess. In the script, they are depicted as the best soldiers of Harald Hardrada, who played a crucial role in routing the English forces during the Battle of Fulford. Their presence illustrates the military might of the Viking invaders.

💡York

York is a historic city in northern England, which was captured by Harald Hardrada after the Battle of Fulford. The city's capture is a critical event in the video's narrative, as it demonstrates the initial success of the Viking invasion and sets the stage for the subsequent conflict with the English King in London.

💡Knut

Knut, also known as Canute, was a Danish king who ruled over England, Denmark, and Norway, creating the short-lived North Sea Empire. In the video, Knut is mentioned as a historical ruler whose empire Harald Hardrada sought to restore, providing a connection to the past and a motivation for the Viking invasion.

💡Varangian Guard

The Varangian Guard was an elite unit of the Byzantine Empire's army, composed mostly of Viking mercenaries. Harald Hardrada is said to have served in this guard, which is relevant to the video's theme as it showcases his military experience and the cultural exchange between the Vikings and the Byzantines. His service in the guard is highlighted to emphasize his skills and reputation as a warrior.

💡Constantinople

Constantinople, now known as Istanbul, was the capital of the Byzantine Empire and a significant city in medieval times. In the script, it is mentioned as a destination for Harald Hardrada during his adventuring years, where he served in the Varangian Guard and participated in various military campaigns, enriching his experience and fortune.

💡Harold Godwinson

Harold Godwinson was the King of England at the time of the Norman Conquest. In the video, he is depicted as the English king who assembled a massive force to counter the Viking invasion led by Harald Hardrada. His actions and the ensuing battle are central to the narrative, culminating in the defeat of the Vikings and the death of Harald Hardrada.

💡Battle of Stamford Bridge

The Battle of Stamford Bridge, although not explicitly named in the script, is the climactic battle where the Viking forces led by Harald Hardrada were defeated by the English forces led by Harold Godwinson. It is the conclusion of the narrative and marks the end of the Viking era in England, as described in the script's final lines.

Highlights

The Battle of Fulford took place on September 20, 1066, marking the last great Viking invasion of England.

English Earls Edwin and Morcar hastily gathered forces to defend against the combined might of the Norwegian kingdom and its allies.

Harald Hardrada, the Norwegian King, was a seasoned warrior with a lifetime of battles across the known world.

Harald's elite housecarls played a crucial role in routing the English forces during the battle.

Harald's ambitions included restoring the northern sea empire once ruled by Knut of Scandinavia.

Harald was a warrior poet who recorded his own deeds, showcasing his adventurous nature.

Born in 1015, Harald was the youngest half-brother of King Olaf Haraldson, with a lineage tracing back to the first king of Norway.

Harald's early life was marked by rebellion and ambition, in contrast to his more grounded older brothers.

After King Olaf's death, Harald supported his half-brother's fight to reclaim the throne, resulting in a significant battle.

Harald's journey east led him to the Kingdom of the Rus, where he found fortune and military opportunities.

In the Byzantine Empire, Harald served as part of the elite Varangian Guard, rising in status over time.

Harald's service in the Byzantine army saw him fight in various regions, including Sicily and modern-day Syria.

Harald amassed a fortune during his time with the Varangian Guard, much of which he sent to his ally Yaroslav in Kiev.

Returning to Scandinavia, Harald managed to win joint leadership of Norway without a battle.

Harald's rule in Norway was marked by successful domestic policies and the title Hardrada, meaning 'hard ruler' or 'stern counsel'.

Harald's adventurous spirit led him to explore lands north of his kingdom, possibly even reaching modern-day North America.

In 1066, following Edward the Confessor's death, Harald sought to claim England and reform the northern sea empire.

Harald's invasion of England in 1066 was initially successful, but was ultimately met with a surprising and overwhelming English force.

The Battle of Stamford Bridge on September 25, 1066, saw Harald's forces defeated and the last great Viking ruler killed in battle.

Transcripts

on the 20th of September 1066

a battle was fought on the outskirts of

the village of Fulford in northern

England

the English Earl's edwin of Mercia and

Morcar of Northumbria had hastily

gathered their forces together along

with the local Lords of the north to

mount a defense against this last great

Viking invasion of England these were no

mere raiders facing them across the

fields to the combined might of the

kingdom of Norway along with its allies

and the Scottish Isles and also the

recently deposed English Earl of

Northumbria the brother of the new king

kostik Godwinson the English struck

first advancing on the Norwegians before

they could fully deploy but this wasn't

the Norwegian Kings first battle he was

Harald Hardrada the famous Viking who

had spent his entire lifetime

adventuring and battling all over the

known world from modern-day Palestine to

Italy to Russia to Ukraine he had carved

out a fortune from the blood of his

enemies and fought against far greater

men than a pair of mere English Earl's

after the battle was joined on both

sides

harald charge into the weakest english

point along with his best soldiers his

elite housecarls

who had been lying in wait and together

they routed the English forces

completely within days he had taken York

long with stronghold sympathetic

Scandinavians and he began to make his

preparations for the inevitable attack

which would soon come from the English

King in London only two decades earlier

England had been ruled by Knut himself

for Scandinavia and Harald likely wanted

to restore the great northern sea Empire

which Knut had ruled over which

consisted of Norway Denmark and England

Harald was a scowled a warrior poet who

recorded his own deeds for posterity he

was an adventurer the atypical Viking

and one of the last of a dying breed

Harald had been born long before the

events of 1066 in ring Greek Norway in

1015 he was the youngest half-brother of

King Olaf haraldson who in turn could

trace his lineage back to Harald

fairhair the first king of Norway Harald

was by no means guaranteed any sort of

leadership in typical Viking fashion he

tended to act rashly and rebellious Lee

in his youth

he was ambitious as opposed to his two

older brothers who were more grounded

and mostly concerned with keeping what

they already had following the revolt in

1028 King Olaf was to post forced into

exile by a popular uprising in support

of Knut of England for two years he

raided the coastline until he returned

to Norway in 1030 with a massive army

what happened next is unclear as Olaf

may have simply died or been

assassinated but after he was sainted

later chroniclers claimed that he died

in a great last stand which was fought

at sticklers dad on the 29th of July

1030

Harald just 15 years old at the time is

said to have a master force of 600 men

to support his half-brother in his fight

to reclaim the throne in the ensuing

carnage olaf was killed and Harald not

badly wounded is said to have been

evacuated by his followers to a remote

farm in eastern Norway where he

recovered from his wounds from there he

traveled east to find his fortune across

the mountains into Sweden finally

arriving a year later in the

Scandinavian Slavic Kingdom of the kiev

and ruse in the modern-day ukraine the

kingdom of the ruse had been established

well over a century earlier by

scandinavian explorers and warriors who

had carved themselves out one of the

largest and most powerful states in

europe and over time merged somewhat

with the local Slavic population to

create a truly unique culture Grand

Prince Yaroslav the wives whose Swedish

wife Inga guard was a distant relation

of Harold's and who had also been an

ally of his late brother Olaf

welcomed him and his men with open arms

Yaroslav was in need of military leaders

at the time immediately put the young

eager warrior to work in his army he

took part in campaigns in its the polls

in 1031 and likely against the nomadic

pechenegs

from the eastern steppe land after a few

years however Harald seems to have grown

Restless again and he asked for

permission to go south to the great city

that the Vikings called Mick Lagarde

by far one of the largest and most

prosperous in the world at the time we

know the city by a different name the

capital of the eastern Roman Byzantine

Empire Constantinople by the time Harald

arrived in Constantinople like moths to

a flame Scandinavians had been

attempting to gain access to the great

city and access its untold riches for

nearly 200 years

at first led by the princes of the Kiev

in ruse they had attempted invasion on

numerous occasions but conclusively

failed to breach the impenetrable

defenses that they found within a few

generations however as more and more

Scandinavians became Christianized and

more receptive to the Byzantines they

sought a different way into the city

began to offer their services to the

Emperor in return for payment of course

by 988 under the service of battle the

second one of the greatest Byzantine

emperors an elite cadre of Nordic

warriors who pledged their allegiance

and over the next 300 years they would

serve as the most elite force within the

Byzantine army they were known as the

Varangian guard heralds joined a long

line of Scandinavians who had been

entering the service of emperors for

generations and according to the sagas

he quickly became a high-ranking

commander of great renown in reality

this is rather unlikely as at the time

Harald was still a minor nobleman from

Norway who was yet to make a name for

himself nevertheless over his

decade-long service to the Byzantines he

did undoubtedly rise in status over time

to become a great leader in guard in his

first year of service as the Byzantines

pushed the Arabs back out of Asia Minor

Harald campaigned as far as the

Euphrates in modern-day Syria where

according to later chronicles he

participated in the capture of 80 Arab

strongholds he again fought against the

nomadic Pechenegs as well as the

powerful Bolger state to the north of

the empire as well as seeing substantial

combat in Sicily and southern Italy

fighting against both the Arabs and

later the Normans led by William iron

arm he even likely traveled to Jerusalem

although historians debate whether this

was on a diplomatic mission or on a

military campaign during his decade

serving the Empire Herald survived

several usurpations of power the sagas

note that aside from the significant

spoils of battle he acquired on three

separate occasions he participated in

palace plunder a term which implies

either the pillaging of the palace

treasury on the death of the Emperor or

perhaps the disent of funds to the

Varangians by the new emperor in order

to ensure their loyalty Harald certainly

amassed a huge fortune during his time

with the guard much of which he had

shipped back to his ally Yaroslav in

Kiev for safekeeping

during the last civil conflict the

guards loyalties were split down the

middle

Harold was fortunate enough to join the

winning side supported the ultimately

successful rebels the Emperor Michael v

was blinded and overthrown as was

Byzantine custom if some source is

saying that Harold did the blinding

himself when the new Empress - Zoe

refused to let Herod leave her service

he took two boats and escaped north into

the Black Sea losing one of the ships to

the great iron change crossed the harbor

in the process Harold now an experienced

warrior and a man of thirty was going

home he would win himself a kingdom or

he would die in the process he arrived

back in Scandinavia around 1046 which in

his absence had become the domain of the

king Magnus the good an illegitimate son

of Ola who had succeeded Knut with the

help of the Norwegian Nobles over the

next few months

Harald now with an army and much support

managed to win joint leadership of

Norway without fighting a single battle

under this diplomatic compromise the two

kings were jointly rule Norway

although Magnus kept control of Denmark

although technically allowed to one

another the two kings held different

courts didn't interact each time they

did the sources report the violence very

nearly broke arms upon Magnus his death

in late 10:47 however Harald could

finally rule over Norway as the sole

king for the next two decades Harald

raided Denmark to scare the local

population into joining him rather than

King Sweyn s tourism he also launched

several ultimately unsuccessful

full-scale invasion

such as one in 1062 which resulted in an

epic sea battle at nisa by most accounts

Harold's domestic rules seem to have

been largely successful and he earned

the title Hardrada meaning hard ruler or

stern counsel during this period he

standardized the currency streamlined

the infrastructure of the relatively

young country using techniques of rule

that he had witnessed under the

Byzantines he initiated vast extensive

trade networks throughout Europe and

beyond with the help of his Byzantine

and ruse allies true tis adventuring

nature he also explored the lands to the

north of his kingdom and may have even

sought out the mysterious realm of

inland modern-day North America which

had been discovered a generation earlier

he did record discovering an unforgiving

frosted land to the north

which may have either means foul Bart or

the Novaya Zemlya archipelago of

modern-day Russia for 1066 after the

death of the last eligible claimant to

the house of Wessex Edward the Confessor

Harold sought to take England for

himself and reform the northern sea

Empire which Knut advendio the new

English King Harold Godwinson an

influential noble whose family have

grown strong limb - Knut was an

illegitimate choice in Harold's eyes

when the Kings brother Tostig was exiled

and lost his earldom of Northumbria in

1065 he sought revenge arriving in

Harold's Court not long afterwards were

together they hashed a daring plan to

seize the throne of England after

extensive preparations they landed on

the coast of England September 1066 with

around 10 to 15,000 men and a fleet of

some 300 ships they enjoyed success at

first and after Fulford his men were in

high spirits they could relax for a

while

knowing that Harold's forces must surely

be days away if they were coming at all

after all Duke William of Normandy

himself descended from Norseman also had

plans for England without warning on a

25th of September a massive English

force arrived Godwinson had assembled

huge army and made the distance from the

south in just a matter of days an

incredible feat and they took the old

Viking completely by surprise

Harold's men had no time to prepare both

here in his army were not even wearing

their chainmail vests when the English

attacked despite an epic last stand on a

bridge by one of Harold's berserkers the

English crossed over wiped out Harold's

forces killing both him antastic in the

process the sources recount how in true

Viking fashion Harold was killed early

in the battle

by an arrow to the throat as he swung

his great 200 sword around aggressively

in a berserker rage

the last great Viking ruler who was dead

and after well over 200 years of

supremacy in the British Isles never

again would a scandinavian army defeat

an English war

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