Summary
Vikings: Valhallaseason 3 continued Harald Sigurdsson’s (Leo Suter) journey to the throne of Norway, which included a change in his name and mentality, as well as an unexpected deal. Despite still having many stories from the final years of the Viking Age to tell,Vikings: Valhallaended with its third season, though not before concluding Harald’s most important storyline.Since season 1, Harald made it clear that his goal was to become King of Norway, but his biggest obstacle at the time was his half-brother, Olaf Haraldsson (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson).
Vikings: Valhallaseason 2 saw Harald traveling to Constantinople with Leif (Sam Corlett) to get funds to form his army and claim the throne of Norway, but there were many obstacles in the way. Season 3 revealed Harald stayed in Constantinople for seven years, serving Emperor Romanos, but was framed for the latter’s death. This was a turning point in Harald’s story, making way for his name change to “Harald Hardrada” and a much colder and ruthless mentality, though that helped him finally get the throne of Norway. Unfortunately,Vikings: Valhallaleft many questions about Harald’s reign, but they can be answered thanks to history.
Vikings: Valhalla Fact Check: Did Leif & Harald Really Fight Together?
Vikings: Valhalla saw Leif Erikson and Harald Sigurdsson fighting together, but did the real Leif and Harald actually share battles?
What Hardrada Means
The Origin Of “Hardrada” Is Different Than In Vikings: Valhalla
Vikings: Valhallanever explained the meaning of “Hardrada”, but according to historians, it translates to “stern counsel” or “hard ruler”.
InVikings: Valhalla,Harald was forced to rethink his plans while waiting for his execution, and it was during his imprisonment that he took the name of “Hardrada”. At the end ofVikings: Valhalla, Harald introduced himself as King Harald Hardrada and told Leif that Harald Sigurdsson was dead, and there was only Harald Hardrada now.Vikings: Valhallanever explained the meaning of “Hardrada”, but according to historians, it translates to “stern counsel” or “hard ruler”, which is very fitting with what came next for him.
Vikings: Valhallaonly gave a taste of the darkness that took over Harald after his imprisonment in Constantinople and the murder of his friends, but history can fill in the blanks. Just like in the series,Harald co-ruled Norway with Magnus and later took over the throne when Magnus died, but he was also looking to take Denmark.
After reaching a peace agreement with King Sweyn of Denmark,Harald would act with brutality towards his people, maiming and killing them as a warning to those who dared disobey him. Because of this and his power-struggle with the Norwegian aristocracy,Harald earned the reputation of a hard ruler, and so he was given the nickname “Hardrada”.
Harald Hardrada Ruled As King Of Norway For 20 Years
Harald Fulfilled His Mission Of Becoming King Of Norway
InVikings: Valhallaseason 3, Harald agreed to co-rule Norway with Magnus but turned the king’s court against his nephew and imprisoned him, taking over as the only King of Norway. The real Harald also co-ruled with Magnus but not for long, as Magnus died less than a year into their co-rule and left no heirs. Following his attacks on Denmark and his peace agreement with Sweyn of Denmark, he prepared for the invasion of England, but before he left Norway he proclaimed his son Magnus as king.
Harald Hardrada ruled Norway from 1046 to 1066.
Harald’s last (and, arguably, most important battle) was the Battle of Stamford Bridge, regarded as the event that marked the end of the Viking Age. The Battle of Stamford Bridge took place in the village of Stamford Bridge, East Riding of Yorkshire, in England, in 1066. It was a battle between the English army under King Harold Godwinson and Harald’s Norwegian forces.Harald was struck in the throat by an arrow and killed early in the battle. Harald Hardrada ruled Norway from 1046 to 1066.
Harald Established The Royal Hardrada Dynasty
Harald Hardrada Was The Beginning Of A Dynasty
With Tora Torbergsdatter, Harald had at least two children: Magnus II, King of Norway from 1066 to 1069, and Olaf III, who reigned as King of Norway from 1067 to 1093.
Harald Hardrada married Elisiv of Kiev and they had many children, among them daughters Ingegerd and Maria. However, the sagas say Harald married Tora Torbergsdatter, though historians have disputed this as Harald would still have been married to Elisiv, but it’s possible that he had a bigamous marriage – in that case, Elisiv would have held the title of Queen. With Tora, Harald had at least two children: Magnus II, King of Norway from 1066 to 1069, and Olaf III, who reigned as King of Norway from 1067 to 1093.
The Hardrada dynasty went on to rule Norway, the Kingdom of Mann and the Islas, and the Earldom of Orkney. The Hardrada dynasty replaced the Saint Olaf dynasty and was replaced by the Gille Branch. Magnus Erlingsson briefly restored the Hardrada dynasty during his reign from 1161 to 1184, but was replaced again by the House of Sverre.
The Hardrada Dynasty Ended During The Norwegian Civil War
Magnus Erlingsson, known as Magnus V, ruled Norway during the civil war era in Norway. After many years of warfare, it all ended with Magnus’ defeat in the Battle of Fimreite, in 1184, in which Sverre Sigurdsson attacked Magnus’ fleet, with Magnus going down on one of the last ships.Magnus’ death was the end of the Hardrada dynasty, and Sverre took over as sole King of Norway.Vikings: Valhallaset up Harald’s most important stories, but it’s now up to every viewer to fill in the gaps the series left.
Vikings: Valhalla
Set over a thousand years ago in the early 11th century, Vikings: Valhalla chronicles the heroic adventures of some of the most famous Vikings ever chronicled. As tensions between the Vikings and the English royals reach a bloody breaking point and as the Vikings themselves clash over their conflicting Christian and pagan beliefs, these three Vikings begin an epic journey that will take them across oceans and through battlefields, from Kattegat to England and beyond, as they fight for survival and glory.
