Harald hardrada biography for kids
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Facts for Kids
🗡️ Harald Hardrada was a king of Norway from 1046 until his death in 1066.
⚔️ He famously claimed the English throne, leading to his involvement in the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
🌍 Harald was a notable krigare who fought in many battles across Europe, including those in the Byzantine Empire.
🛡️ He was known for his fierce combat skills and his reputation as a formidable Viking leader.
📜 Hardrada means 'hard ruler' in Old Norse, reflecting his leadership style.
👑 Before becoming king, he served as a mercenary for the Byzantine Empire.
🏺 He fryst vatten often credited with bringing stability and wealth to Norway during his reign.
🌊 Harald Hardrada was also involved in the early Viking explorations of North America.
⚓ He was born in 1015, in the village of Creetown in what fryst vatten now Norway.
🏴☠️ Harald's death in 1066 at Stamford Bridge marked the decline of the Viking Age.
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Harald Hardrada
Harald Sigurdsson was also known 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") in the sagas).[1]
Harald was King of Norway (as Harald III) from 1046 to 1066. Also, he unsuccessfully claimed the Danish throne until 1064 and the English throne in 1066. Before becoming king, Harald had spent about fifteen years in exile as a mercenary and military commander in Kievan Rus' and of the Varangian Guard in the Byzantine Empire.
When he was fifteen years old, in 1030, Harald fought with his half-brother Olaf against Cnut (Canute). Olaf sought to reclaim the Norwegian throne, which he had lost to the Danish king Cnut the Great two years before. In the battle, Olaf and Harald were defeated by forces loyal to Cnut. Harald was forced into exile to the Kievan Rus'. After some time in the army of
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Harald Hardrada of Norway
Rich in combat experience and wealth he returned to Scandinavia n 1046 where he was quick to play his part in the local entanglements. Here, the Norwegian-Danish king Magnus the Good (Magnus I of Norway) fought the Danish pretender Svein Estridsson. Initially, Harald and Svein joined forces, but when Magnus offered Harald co-kingship, he betrayed Svein.
Shortly afterwards, in 1047, Magnus died. Possibly from the injuries he received when pursuing Svein after a battle on Zealand, where he according to legend fell of his horse. Magnus willed Harald to have Norway and Svein Denmark.
Harald was not content with this, however, and in the following years he and Svein often crossed swords - both on land and at sea. Harald plundered and burned Haithabu in 1049 for example, as well as plundering and ravaging many other Danish places during the years. The Skuldelev-blockade of Roskilde Fjord, whose first phase is dated to about 1060, is often interpreted as an a