When was harald hardrada born

Harald fought with his brother against those loyal to Cnut the Great, a Danish King who had taken the Norwegian throne. Olaf died during this battle and Harald fled to eastern Norway before heading to Sweden and then out to Kievan Res, where he stayed with Yaroslav the wise who had helped his brother survive when he had been exiled.

Quickly thought of as a renowned military leader, he became well respected by the Byzantines. However, a breakdown in their relationship in saw Harald return to the north and is thought to have advised Yaroslav of how to exploit the weaknesses of his former allies.

Having gained support across Sweden and Denmark, Harald headed to Norway and made a compromise with his nephew; they would share the rule of Norway if Harald shared his wealth. Although this arrangement worked for two years, in Magnus died without an heir, leaving Harald the King of Norway and as self-proclaimed ruler of Denmark. Hardrada requested a release from service but this was refused. Harald managed to escape and returned to Kiev.

Harthacnut , King of England died. On his return to Norway, Hardrada reached an agreement with Magnus I that they would share the rule of Norway. Harald made the first of a series of raids on Denmark hoping to take the Danish throne from Sweyn Estridsson.

Harald married Tora Torbergsdatter daughter of one of the most powerful men in Norway. It is unclear whether he remained married to Ellisif at the same time. Harald knew that the English King Edward the Confessor had no children to succeed him. He believed that he had a legitimate claim to the English throne through the promise made to Magnus I by Harthacnut. Hardrada learned that Harold Godwinson had been crowned King of England and began preparing an invasion.

Harald set sail from Norway and sailed towards the northern Scottish islands where he would recruit reinforcements. In , or shortly afterwards, a compromise was reached. The warrior king Harald must have realized, that he should seek out new hunting grounds, and following the death of Edward the Confessor in the beginning of , Harald invaded England.

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