Harald Hardrada: Did you mean...?

In Scandinavia, Christianity spread due to the support and encouragement of political rulers at the top of the society above all else. Conversion, defined here as the actions taken by kings or clerics to introduce the new religion, did not...

The Battle of Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, England on 25 September 1066 CE saw an army led by English king Harold II (r. Jan-Oct 1066 CE) defeat an invading force led by Harald Hardrada, king of Norway (r. 1046-1066 CE). Hardrada, aided...

A 13th century CE depiction of the Norwegian king Harald III, aka Harald Hardrada (r. 1046-1066 CE) at the Battle of Fulford Gate on 20 September 1066 CE. (From "The Life of King Edward the Confessor" by Matthew Paris).

A stained glass window from Kirkwall Cathedral, Orkney showing Harald Hardrada, king of Norway (aka Harald III, r. 1046-1066 CE)

The Viking Age (c. 790-1100 CE) transformed every aspect of the cultures the Norse came in contact with. The Vikings usually struck without warning and, in the early years, left with their plunder and slaves to be sold as quickly as they...

The Battle of Hastings in south-east England on 14 October 1066 saw the defeat of the Anglo-Saxon king Harold II (r. Jan-Oct 1066) by the invading Norman army led by William, Duke of Normandy (reigned from 1035). After a day of heavy fighting...

Harold Godwinson (also spelt Godwineson) reigned briefly as King Harold II of England from January to October 1066 CE, the momentous year which witnessed the Norman conquest and end of 500 years of Anglo-Saxon rule. Harold had been, as the...

The mercenary Varangian Guard was an elite Byzantine army corps and the personal bodyguard of emperors beginning with Basil II in c. 988 CE. The Viking unit was famous for the stature of its members and their blood-thirsty conduct in battle...

A silver cross coin from the later part of Harald Bluetooth's reign, produced c. 940-985 CE. Such coins were part of nationwide currency introduced by Harald, and prominently bore the cross which was emblematic of his conversion to Christianity...

A statue of Harald Fairhair, the first king of Norway (c. 850 – c. 932 CE). The statue was erected in 1872 CE, at the Haraldshaugen monument in Haugesund, Norway.