After the death of Magnus I in 1047, the throne of Norway passed to Harald Hardrada, Magnus' uncle. Harald, born in 1015, had a storied past, including a dramatic escape after the Battle of Stiklestad, where his half-brother, Olaf II, had been killed. Harald spent years as a warrior and mercenary, serving in the Kievan Rus and rising to prominence in the Byzantine Empire's elite Varangian Guard. By the time he returned to Norway in 1046, he was a seasoned warrior, seeking to claim his place in his homeland.
Initially, Harald ruled jointly with Magnus, though tensions between the two simmered. When Magnus died, Harald became the sole king, and his reign was marked by his ambition to further consolidate Norway’s power and influence. He pursued aggressive campaigns in Denmark, attempting to reclaim lands once ruled by Magnus and their ancestors. Although Harald failed to subdue Denmark fully, he solidified his control over Norway, fortifying its monarchy and maintaining its independence.
Harald's ambitions extended beyond Scandinavia. In 1066, after years of relative stability in Norway, he turned his attention to England. With the death of Edward the Confessor and a disputed succession, Harald believed he had a claim to the English throne. He allied with Tostig Godwinson, the exiled brother of Harold Godwinson, who had just become king of England. Harald launched an invasion, landing in northern England with a sizable force.
Initially, Harald saw success, winning the Battle of Fulford near York in September 1066. However, just days later, on September 25, 1066, he faced the English king Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. The English army, marching north swiftly, surprised Harald's forces. Despite Harald’s legendary prowess as a warrior, he was killed in the battle, and his invasion collapsed. This defeat ended Norwegian ambitions in England and marked Harald's dramatic end, just days before the Norman invasion of England at the Battle of Hastings.
Harald Hardrada’s death at Stamford Bridge closed the chapter on Viking attempts to conquer England and secured his place in history as the last great Viking king, a figure who had sought to expand and consolidate Norway's power at home and abroad. His death symbolized the end of the Viking Age.