Part 1
By all accounts, Harald Hardrada had lived an amazing life, an “Alexander of the Norsemen” as one contemporary described him. Towering above other men, Harald’s strong, muscular physique and imposing presence inspired awe among his contemporaries – even the Pretender ruling over England, before being slain by him in battle, is said to have offered Harald "six feet of the ground of England, or perhaps more seeing that he is taller than most men". Like other Norwegian Kings, Harald composed skaldic poetry – however, unlike other Norwegian Kings, he actually "showed a decided talent", and a number of his poems survived to the present day, learned by students all across Norway and Denmark even a thousand years after his death. According to one poem, Harald had mastered a number of activities that were considered sports in the Viking Age, including in addition to poetry, brewing, horse riding, swimming, skiing, shooting, rowing and playing the harp. The sagas state that Harald and his Varangians at least once took a break during the siege of a town to enjoy sports.
As an old saying that has been passed down through the ages goes, at the time of his death, Harald was more traveled than any merchant, stronger than any warrior, richer than any noble and more respected by his people than any King.
Harald's first act on the scene of history was to take part in a revolt in support of his brother Olaf against Cnut the Great, who had gained the thrones of Denmark, Norway and England. Defeated, Harald was forced into exile in Gardariki across the Baltic Sea, where he was met by Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Little did he know at the time of the glory that awaited him, one even greater than that of Cnut himself.
By all accounts, Harald Hardrada had lived an amazing life, an “Alexander of the Norsemen” as one contemporary described him. Towering above other men, Harald’s strong, muscular physique and imposing presence inspired awe among his contemporaries – even the Pretender ruling over England, before being slain by him in battle, is said to have offered Harald "six feet of the ground of England, or perhaps more seeing that he is taller than most men". Like other Norwegian Kings, Harald composed skaldic poetry – however, unlike other Norwegian Kings, he actually "showed a decided talent", and a number of his poems survived to the present day, learned by students all across Norway and Denmark even a thousand years after his death. According to one poem, Harald had mastered a number of activities that were considered sports in the Viking Age, including in addition to poetry, brewing, horse riding, swimming, skiing, shooting, rowing and playing the harp. The sagas state that Harald and his Varangians at least once took a break during the siege of a town to enjoy sports.
As an old saying that has been passed down through the ages goes, at the time of his death, Harald was more traveled than any merchant, stronger than any warrior, richer than any noble and more respected by his people than any King.
Harald's first act on the scene of history was to take part in a revolt in support of his brother Olaf against Cnut the Great, who had gained the thrones of Denmark, Norway and England. Defeated, Harald was forced into exile in Gardariki across the Baltic Sea, where he was met by Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Little did he know at the time of the glory that awaited him, one even greater than that of Cnut himself.
Cnut the Great
Yaroslav the Wise
Seeking even greater opportunities, Harald and his force of around 500 men moved on south to Constantinople around 1033 AD, joining the Varangian Guard of Emperor Romanus III. He first saw action in campaigns against Arab pirates in the Mediterranean, and then in inland towns in Asia Minor that had supported the pirates. His exploits in these theaters meant he was promoted to overall command of the force. Upon the death of the Emperor in April 1034, Harald and his Varangians received a substantial payment from the new Emperor, Michael IV, who then employed them to push the Arabs out of the remainder of Asia Minor, where Harald got to advance as far east as the river Euphrates, with men under his command capturing 80 Arab strongholds along the way.
The Varangians
Returning to Constantinople, he once again rode out to deal with the Pechenegs. Then, in 1036, the Emperor signed a peace treaty with the Fatimid Caliph, and Harald was chosen to command the bodyguard of the expedition that brought many pilgrims, but also members of the Imperial family, to Jerusalem, fighting off bandits along the way. Once there, they made arrangements for the repair of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher before returning home.
The following year, Harald and part of the Varangian Guard were deployed to Sicily as part of general George Maniakes’ expeditionary force, aiming to retake the island from the Saracens. Fighting alongside Norman mercenaries (including one William Iron Arm, who got his nickname from slaying the emir of Syracuse in single combat), they were partially successful in taking the eastern part of the island.
The following year, Harald and part of the Varangian Guard were deployed to Sicily as part of general George Maniakes’ expeditionary force, aiming to retake the island from the Saracens. Fighting alongside Norman mercenaries (including one William Iron Arm, who got his nickname from slaying the emir of Syracuse in single combat), they were partially successful in taking the eastern part of the island.
Maniakes and his army land in Sicily
Maniakes was recalled to Constantinople and imprisoned after alienating local allies enough for a revolt to erupt in southern Italy, where Harald and a small contigent of Varangians were quickly deployed to assist in dealing with. There, fighting against none other then his erstwhile ally William Iron Arm, Harald and the commanders he served under were defeated no less than three times, with the Varangians suffering heavy losses on each occasion. The battles nonetheless provided Harald with valuable experience in dealing with mounted Norman knights.
In May 1041, after the latest defeat, all elements of the Varangian Guard were recalled to Constantinople, where an army was being assembled to crush a Bulgarian uprising that had advanced all the way to the walls of Thessalonica, where they were finally halted. Arriving in Moesia late in the year, with the emperor in personal command of the force, Harald and the Romans were victorious, with the former earning the nick-name 'Bulgar-burner'.
Soon after, Michael IV died, his chief minister John the Enunuch, wanting to preserve power in his own hands, forced the late Emperor’s wife Zoe to adopt Michael, the son of the Emperor’s sister, and had him crowned Michael V. To ensure the immediate loyalty of the Varangians, Harald once again received a substantial monetary payment.
Shortly after his accession to the throne though, Michael V sought to rid himself of any possible challengers to his throne – to this end, he banished John the Eunuch to a monastery and had Harald imprisoned as well. After sending the previously exiled George Maniakes and a contingent of Varangians back to Italy to confront the Normans, Michael sought to also exclude his adoptive mother and co-ruler from the affairs of state. Upon announcing her banishment though, a pro-Zoe revolt broke out among the populace of Constantinople, which forced the Emperor to yield – power was now jointly exercized by Basil II’s two daughters, Zoe and Theodora. During the turmoil, Harald was released from captivity, and became the leader of the Varangians who supported the revolt, rallying many. The deposed Emperor attempted to flee to a monastery, taking up monastic vows, yet was nonetheless arrested by Harald’s men and was subsequently blinded and castrated on Theodora’s orders, dying as a monk shortly afterwards.
Constantinople was now ruled by the two co-empresses, and they rewarded Harald for his support and sent him off at the head of a large force during Easter 1042 to reinforce Maniakes in Italy.
Zoe Porphyrogenita
Relations between the two sisters continued to deteriorate though as Zoe proved jealous of her sisters governing prowess, and married Constantine Monomachos, unto whom now most power devolved, thus marginalizing Theodora. Upon the accession of the new Emperor, Harald would have once again received a significant sum of coin, had he not been on campaign in Italy.
Constantine IX Monomachos
In Italy meanwhile, Maniakes soon found himself face to face with none other than Romanus Sclerus, who was, just like him, an immensely wealthy landowner who owned large areas of Anatolia - his estates neighbored those of Maniakes and the two were rumored to have attacked each other during a squabble over land. Sclerus owed his influence over the emperor to his famously charming sister Sclerina, who was Constantine IX Monomachos' very public mistress, and who walked right behind the two nominal co-empresses Zoe and Theodora during public events. Thanks to her influence, Sclerus was able to slander Maniakes in front of the Emperor, obtaining a recall order for his rival and being appointed as the new Catepan of Italy. Sclerus then proceeded to ransack Maniakes’ house and rape his wife before setting out to Italy, Imperial decree in his hand.
Upon arriving in Apulia, Sclerus presented Maniakes with his papers in front of the troops, ordering that he surrender command. The popular general though could not so easily be sidelined, not after what his rival had done (and certainly feared death if he conceded), and ordered his men to arrest Sclerus, whom he had executed by sealing off his eyes, ears, nose and mouth with excrement. Maniakes was then proclaimed emperor by his troops, including the Varangians under Harald, and marched towards Constantinople. Harald had just one request of the man he had just supported, namely to be allowed to return to his native lands once they stood victorious in Constantinople.
George Maniakes
Gathering the army, Maniakes made his way back into the Balkans, where even more men rallied to his side. Emperor Constantine also raised an army, and the two forces clashed near Amphipolis, west of Thessalonica, on the road to Constantinople. Upon hearing of Harald being on the other side, many of the Emperor’s Varangian Guards abandoned his camp the night before the battle. Seeing the Norsemen change sides, many of Constantine’s soldiers were disheartened, and the battle ended up as expected, with Maniakes and Harald victorious (the future Emperor did however survive a very close call, as an arrow missed his head by millimeters).
Arriving in Constantinople, Maniakes had the Emperor and his mistress executed, and his wife Zoe banished to a monastery. He married the aging co-empress Theodora to further strengthen his legitimacy, and had the Scleroi lands confiscated. Finally, he kept his end of the bargain with Harald, providing him with another ample monetary reward, but also with a great deal of craftsmen, weaponsmiths and priests who would accompany the Norwegian Prince as he set out to reclaim his homeland.
Upon leaving the Queen of Cities on the Bosphorus, Harald met once more with his friend Yaroslav, and persuaded him to cancel his planned attack upon the city. Then, travelling across the Baltic, it was said that his ships were so heavily laden with treasure, that they nearly sank during the journey.
Using his hard-earned fortune, Harald gathered a substantial army and bribed many a noble to his side. Yet, when it came to the final confrontation, Harald accepted to spare his people the bloodshed of war, and agreed to a joint kingship over Norway with King Magnus (who was also King of Denmark). The two maintained separate courts, and did not get along very well, though open conflict was avoided.
Then, Magnus suffered a mysterious death in 1047, leaving Harald in control of Norway, but not of Denmark, which was to be ruled by Sweyn, a grandson of Cnut the Great and unruly vassal of Magnus in Denmark. Harald though would have none of it, and challenged Sweyn for control of the Danish crown, leading many raids into Denmark for over 10 years. Eventually, he engaged Sweyn's forces in a decisive naval battle of over 600 ships, that saw the Danish King dead and Harald in control of Denmark.
Emulating the form of statesmanship he knew best, Harald set about consolidating his power over the aristocracy, making it illegal for anyone but the King (i.e. himself) to have a hird (i.e. a professional standing army). Often brutal towards those who challenged his rule, Harald's consolidation of power brought him the nickname "Hardrada", or hard ruler.
During his time focusing on domestic policy, Harald also continued to advance Christianity in Norway and Denmark, with many churches built and improved during his reign. He also imported even more bishops, priests and monks from abroad, something that would have very lasting effects later on.