Harald Hardrada: The Last Great Viking King

When we think of Vikings, we often picture longships cutting through misty waters, warriors with axes raised high, and tales of adventure across seas and kingdoms. But few figures capture the true spirit of the Viking Age like Harald Hardrada . Warrior, exile, mercenary, king—his life was as dramatic and legendary as any saga. And his death in 1066 is often remembered as the moment the Viking Age came to an end. A Prince in Exile Harald was born in 1015 in Norway, the half-brother of King Olaf II (later Saint Olaf). From an early age, he was drawn into the turbulent struggles for power in Scandinavia. At just 15, Harald joined his brother in battle at Stiklestad (1030) , where Olaf fell in defeat. Wounded and hunted, Harald fled east, beginning a long and adventurous exile that would take him far beyond Norway. From Rus’ to Byzantium: A Warrior Abroad After escaping Norway, Harald sought refuge in the courts of Kievan Rus , where he entered the service of Prince Yaroslav the...