Thread by @Ancient_Daze

Harald Hardrada - The last viking king of the North

In this final thread of the Hardrada series begun by @Varangian_Tagma, we examine Hardrada's final days after the Battle of the Nissa to his fateful meeting with Harold Godwinson, King of England, at Stamford Bridge.

Following the brutal victory over Svein Ulfsson on the Nissa river, Harald busied himself with taking spoils and captives, and tending to his wounded. He revels in the knowledge of Svein's death; his long quest to defeat his rival and reclaim Denmark had finally been achieved.

Harald gloats over Finn Arnason, a rival earl. Harald insults Arnason and threatens him with death, but finally teases that Thora (the concubine) will spare his life.

Upon learning Thora is present, Arnason quips "No wonder you fought so lustily, if the mare was with you."

Earl Hakon gained much renown for his tenacity at the Nissa. The saga implies that Harald's becomes jealous over this. However, in the spring following the battle, Harald learns through gossip that Svein not only lived, but Hakon was his savior in the battle.

Hakon is alerted of Harald's knowledge by a courier sent by a loyal retainer. Hakon escapes Norway to the court of King Steinkel in Sweden before Harald can retaliate.

Hakon's flight causes further problems for Harald, as Hakon's retainers in the Uppland region refuse to pay taxes to anyone but Hakon. He must now deal with the rekindled Danish conflict, and also a potential civil conflict.

However, instead of war, the kings choose peace; in 1064, Meeting (yet again) at the Gota river with large forces, the kings and their advisors agree to recognize the ancient boundaries of Denmark and Norway.

Hostages are exchanged, but no compensation is paid by either side.

Harald will not brook violence with Svien and Denmark again during his reign. His impulse to conquer will turn soon towards England.

Svein Ulfsson will outlive and outrule Harald by ten years. Svein dies in 1076, and is survived by fifteen sons, five of whom become kings.

Following the peace with Denmark, Harald sallies out to Sweden to punish Hakon. He must crush him for grievances, but also to stifle civil conflicts in Norway. The Norwegians meet Hakon's Swedish army on a snowy hillside and crush them, effectively ending Hakon's power.

Following Hakon's defeat, Harald brutally crushes the resisting farmers in Uppland and Varmland, and reestablishes his influence anew. He visits Normandy around this time learns of shifting political events in England. in 1066, after mulling his claim, Harald assembles a fleet.

Sources vary, but Harald's fleet consisted of 200-300 ships with a fighting force of over 10,000 men. He stops off at the Orkney and Shetland islands and collects levies from the earls there. He begins raiding England's Northern coastlands.

Eventually, Harald rows up the Humber river to the Ouse, where he awaits battle from an impending English army led by the earls Morcar and Edwin. The fighting takes place in marshy terrain along a dyke by the river. The Norwegians outflank the English and slaughter them.

The survivors of the English flee to nearby York, and the Norwegians follow and make great slaughter before subjugating the city. In the way of his ancestors, Harald Hardrada wounds England with bloodshed and conquest.

This poem survives to mark the battle of Fulford.

Harald's army camps by Stamford Bridge, and he holds an assembly to exchange hostages and gain allegiances after his subjugation of the area. The Norwegians revel in their victories, but neglect to garrison York. This will be the King's fatal mistake.

Unbeknownst to Harald, Harold Godwinson, king of the English, marched North from London to York upon hearing of events. In one of the greatest mustering in medieval history, Harold and his men march 180 miles in 4 days, gathering forces and news along the way. They camp in York.

Harold learns that the Norwegians have demanded supplies and hostages from the Northumbrians at a rendezvous point by Stamford Bridge. Harold takes the initiative, and martials his army towards the bridge at the appointed time.

In Harald's saga, before the battle, a mysterious rider approaches the Norwegians and asks Earl Tostig to return his allegiance to England. When asked what King Harald should receive in turn, the rider replies "Seven feet of English ground, because he is a tall man."

This rider is later alleged to be Harold Godwinson in disguise. This is one of the greatest moments of his legend; poetic license or reality? It matters not! the last Anglo-Saxon king of England was a valiant and canny man.

The Norwegians don't learn of the English Army until it is within sight of their camp. The Norwegians have been taking a leisurely breakfast, and most are not even outfitted for battle. They do not substantially outnumber the English.

In a famous scene that has transcended the battle itself, a single "very large" Norwegian warrior holds the bridge alone against the English, killing 40 men before he is slain by a floating Englishman beneath the bridge who pierces him through the groin with a spear.

The bridge was wooden and narrow, but the English hurried across and formed up. They clashed with Harald's shieldwall, which was hastily drawn up and held by mostly unarmored men. Harald is said to have uttered this poem near the onset of battle:

The Battle raged for hours, and Harald is said to have fallen into frenzy, attacking the English "two-handed" at the forefront of the fighting. However, despite no blade being able to bite him, an arrow pierces him in the throat, killing him. Earl Tostig is also killed.

Stalemate turned quickly into slaughter as the Norse flanks collapsed. The English surround the Norse forces and annihilate them, inflicting some 8,000 casualties. Legend says that so many were killed, bleached bones littered the field years afterwards.

And so passed Harald Hardrada, last viking King of Norway and the North. He was a warrior poet who traveled the world, and was exceedingly keen to rule as he waged war; with aggression and relentless energy. 'Hardrada' translated from the Old Norse, means 'Hard counsel'

He lived and ruled by the sword, but managed his kingdom fairly for those that did not strive against him. Though opinions of him were many, most respected his prowess and accomplishments. At the close of the Viking Age, Harold Hardrada truly represented a dying breed of men.

@Varangian_Tagma @LandsknechtPike @ChivalryGuild @StilichoReads @Paracelsus1092 @jerfalcon @SaxonGurth

I will add that there are many details by neccessity that I must excise to get a proper telling done on Twitter. There are many varying sources on Stamford bridge, and the actions before and after. I wanted to stay within a saga-style telling, but please what comments you have!