Harold Hardrada was born in 1015, and was the youngest son of King Olaf II. He was the king of Norway, and died while battling Harold Godwin in the Battle of the Hastings. In 1030 King Cnut of Denmark invaded Norway and King Olaf was killed in battle. Harold was wounded but managed to escape to Russia, and he become a mercenary and as a result of his exploits, he became a weathly man.
In 1045 Harold returned to Norway. He was welcomed back and he shared the throne with his nephew, Magnus. When Magnus died a year later, Harold ruled Norway alone. He was given the nickname Hardrada because he was a very hard ruler.
In 1066, Harold was visited by Harold Godwin's brother Tostig, who suggested that he should try and take the throne of England. Hardrada had a claim to the throne because Edward the Confessor, who had died with no children in January 1066, had seized the English throne back from the Norwegian Harthacnut in 1042. Harthacnut was the son of King Cnut who had ruled England from 1016 to 1035. It was alleged that Harthacnut promised the throne of England to King Magnus I of Norway, who had chosen not to fight Edward the Confessor for the throne. In September 1066, Harold invaded the north of England. On the 20th of September, he defeated the Anglo-Saxons led by Earls Morcar and Edwin at the battle of Fulfuord. But upon learning of the invasion of Harold Godwin, which marched his troops north towards Hardrada, he ended up dying on the 25th of September, 1066 making the English win the battle. After Godwin won this battle, he went and fought with William the Conquer
In 1045 Harold returned to Norway. He was welcomed back and he shared the throne with his nephew, Magnus. When Magnus died a year later, Harold ruled Norway alone. He was given the nickname Hardrada because he was a very hard ruler.
In 1066, Harold was visited by Harold Godwin's brother Tostig, who suggested that he should try and take the throne of England. Hardrada had a claim to the throne because Edward the Confessor, who had died with no children in January 1066, had seized the English throne back from the Norwegian Harthacnut in 1042. Harthacnut was the son of King Cnut who had ruled England from 1016 to 1035. It was alleged that Harthacnut promised the throne of England to King Magnus I of Norway, who had chosen not to fight Edward the Confessor for the throne. In September 1066, Harold invaded the north of England. On the 20th of September, he defeated the Anglo-Saxons led by Earls Morcar and Edwin at the battle of Fulfuord. But upon learning of the invasion of Harold Godwin, which marched his troops north towards Hardrada, he ended up dying on the 25th of September, 1066 making the English win the battle. After Godwin won this battle, he went and fought with William the Conquer