![]() In 1064, Harald and Sweyn reached a peace agreement. Still, the Danish King Svein Estridsson, who lost almost every battle against Harald, managed to stay in power. He also wanted to rule Denmark, and he and his warriors plundered the country repeatedly. Harada was not happy with only being the king of Norway. When Magnus I died, Harada became the sole King of Norway. Harada reached an agreement to share the rule of Norway with Magnus I. Cnut the Great had died, and Magnus I, also known as Magnus the Good, was now king of Norway. He had carefully prepared his campaign of reclaiming the Norwegian throne. Rich in combat experience and wealth, Hardrada returned to Scandinavia in 1046. Hardrada now had enough earnings to marry Yaroslav's daughter Princess Elisaveta (Elisiv), something he could not do earlier because he was too poor. He was a famous and respected military leader. He was the best berserker who became the "leader over all the Varangians." Berserkers (in Old Norse: 'berserkr') were Icelandic Viking warriors who feared enemies and even their battle companionsĪs commander, he fought in places as far apart as the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, Sicily, and the Holy Land. Harald Hardrada joined the Varangian Guard. These professional warriors were highly valued for their courage and loyalty they also had high fighting skills and the ability to carry out commands efficiently and without unnecessary questions. They fought in Crete, Italy, and Asia Minor. They were Vikings for hire who successfully conquered territories across the Empire. His goal was to join the impressive Varangian Guard representing the elite heavy infantry regiment of the Roman ('Byzantine') Empire from AD 988 AD to around 1404 AD. Īfter spending some years in Prince Yaroslav's army, Hardrada left Kyiv with his warriors and traveled to Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Hardrada fought many battles for Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Needing skilled warriors, he employed Viking Hardrada, who became captain of the forces of Prince Yaroslav of Kievan Rus. The prince had helped King Olaf after the revolt. After arriving in Russia, he visited his distant relative Yaroslav I, Grand Prince of Rus, known as Yaroslav the Wise. Hardrada managed to cross the Baltic with other survivors of Olaf's defeated army in one year. Viking Hardrada Joins Kievan Rus And The Varangian Guard He reportedly had big hands and feet and could measure five ells in height. He is said to have had light hair and beard, an extended "upper beard" (mustache), and one of his eyebrows was somewhat higher situated than the other. Snorri Sturluson described Harald Hardrada as physically "larger than other men and stronger." His appearance must have been striking to some. Though he was only 15 years old, he showed excellent combat skills during the battle. King Olaf was killed, and Hardrada was severely wounded and forced to flee. Together they engaged the army of Cnut the Great, but the battle did not end well. Two years later, in 1030, King Olaf returned to Norway with a force of more than fourteen hundred strong, and he was joined by Hardrada and his group of 700 hundred warriors.
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