Prince Harold's Crown

Lore & Background

It notes that Harald Sigurdsson, King of Norway from 1046 to 1066, invaded northern England with an army of 10,000 troops and 300 longships. This invasion was prompted by Tostig Godwinson, brother of English king Harold Godwinson, who pledged his allegiance to Harald. Harald defeated English regional forces at the Battle of Fulford on 20 September but was subsequently killed in a surprise attack by Harold Godwinson's forces at the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September.

Reader's Guide

The text strictly covers historical events: Harald Sigurdsson fought in the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030, was exiled to Kievan Rus' by 1031, moved to Constantinople around 1034, and returned to Norway in 1042. His reign included instituting a coin economy and foreign trade. The text concludes with his death at Stamford Bridge on 25 September 1066, an event often considered the end of the Viking Age.

Did You Know?

• Harald Sigurdsson was known as 'Hardrada', an epithet translated variously as 'hard in counsel' or 'tyrannical'.
• Before becoming King of Norway, Harald spent 15 years in exile serving as a mercenary and commander of the Varangian Guard in Byzantium.
• Harald was defeated and killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September 1066 by forces led by Harold Godwinson.
• Adam of Bremen called Harald the 'Thunderbolt of the North'.