Among history’s incredible characters is Harald Hardrada, a legendary Viking king of Norway.
“Hardrada” means “hard ruler” or “stern ruler” in Old Norse. It was a nickname given to Harald Sigurdsson, reflecting his tough and uncompromising leadership style.
He was known for his military campaigns across Europe and Asia Minor, and his dramatic death at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, which marked the end of the Viking Age.
And he was one tough character indeed, as explored in the above 30-minute documentary Harald Hardrada: The Last Viking by the YouTube history channel History Dose.
The documentary begins when young prince Harald Sigurdsson is forced from his Norwegian kingdom, and he sets off on a global quest to build his legacy and seek revenge for his family. This is the tale of the “last Viking,” his ascent to power, brutal rule, and the pivotal events leading to his death at the age of 51.
Press the top left play button on the above feature image to watch the documentary.
Harald Hardrada Facts
Half-Brother to King Olaf II—Harald was the half-brother of King Olaf II of Norway, who would later be canonized as Saint Olaf.
Battle of Stiklestad—At the age of 15, Harald fought alongside Olaf in the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030. Olaf was killed, and Harald was wounded and forced to flee.
Exiled to Kievan Rus—After the battle, Harald fled to the court of Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise in Kievan Rus (modern-day Ukraine), where he served as a warrior.
Military Service in Byzantium—Harald joined the Byzantine Empire’s elite Varangian Guard, a corps of Viking mercenaries, and rose to a high rank.
Famed Warrior and Leader—Harald became famous for his military prowess and led campaigns in the Mediterranean, including battles in Sicily, Bulgaria, and the Middle East.
Wealth Accumulation—Through his service with the Varangian Guard, Harald amassed great wealth, which he later used to fund his bid for the Norwegian throne.
Return to Norway—Harald returned to Norway in 1045 and co-ruled with his nephew Magnus the Good, who was then king.
Sole Ruler of Norway—After Magnus died in 1047, Harald became the sole king of Norway and ruled until his death in 1066.
Conflict with Denmark—Harald spent much of his reign fighting to claim the throne of Denmark, which he was unable to secure despite numerous invasions.
Dream of Reuniting the North Sea Empire—Harald sought to reunite the North Sea Empire, a realm once ruled by Cnut the Great, consisting of Norway, Denmark, and England.
Claim to the English Throne—Harald believed he had a claim to the English throne through an agreement between his predecessor Magnus and Harthacnut, the former king of England and Denmark.
End of the Viking Age—Harald’s death at Stamford Bridge is often regarded as marking the end of the Viking Age, as it was the last major Viking invasion of England.
Saga of Harald Hardrada—Harald’s life and exploits are recorded in the Heimskringla, a collection of sagas written by the Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson.
Influence on History—Harald’s invasion of England and subsequent defeat indirectly led to the Norman conquest later that year when William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings.
History Dose
History Dose is the creation of two brothers—Chris the history grad and Joe the artist.
Chris writes and narrates each script, providing a bibliography of academic sources in the video descriptions, and has recently started including fully footnoted scripts for viewers to reference specific claims and explore further. Joe, a digital artist since 2017, meticulously crafts each piece using a stylus and pad. See some of his images above and below from their documentary.
