Harold

Harold (Hardrada, "Stern in Council") King of Norway (d. 1066), was descended from Harold Haarfager, first King of Norway. Having been driven our, of the country in his youth, he went to Russia. He then became captain of the Varangians (or bodyguards) of the Eastern Emperor, in whose service he performed exploits against the Saracens and other enemies. When compelled to leave Constantinople on account of the anger of the 1 Empress Zoe, whose advances he had rejected, he escaped again to Russia, but returned to Norway about 1045, and soon after became king. He carried on a long war with Denmark, and in 1066 joined Tostig and the Irish in an invasion of

England. The gigantic Viking was defeated and slain with his chief followers at Stamford Bridge on September 25, 1066.