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Harald Hardrada Sigurdsson and the Viking History of Ringerike in Norway
Harald was born in Ringerike in 1015 and was the half-brother of Olaf the Holy, who was also king of Norway. Harald Hardrada was known for his strength, courage and endurance; he was also a skilled warrior and military leader.
According to Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla, there were four kings in Viking history who came from Ringerike:
Halfdan the Black
Sigurd Syr
Olaf the Holy
Harald Hardrada
Halfdan the Black, in the 9th century, is said to be buried in Halvdanshaugen at Stein Farm. The farm and burial mound are clearly visible from the E16 highway at Steinsletta, so keep an eye out when you drive by.
Foto: Stein Gård
Sigurd Syr, a local petty king in the late 10th century, fostered together with Queen Åsta both "Olaf the Holy" Haraldson (stepson) and Harald "Hardrada" Sigurdson (son).
Harald Hardrada started his long military career already at Stiklestad in 1030. He then saw his half-brother Olaf fall in battle, and the royal power in Norway fall out of the family's hands.
Wounded, he escaped to Sweden, and travelled to Kiev early in the 1030s. Here he entered the service of King Jaroslav the Wise. He quickly rose through the ranks and gained a trusted ally in Jaroslav.
After a few years, he went on to Miklagard (Istanbul), the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
As an increasingly powerful officer in the Emperor's Varangian Guard, he amassed enormous riches. In the mid-1040s, he returned to Norway and ruled as king together with his nephew Magnus the Good. This lasted only a year before Magnus died of unknown causes.
Battle of Stamford Bridge
Harald's reign lasted for about 20 years and ended at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, September 25th, 1066, where he was killed. According to a number of historians, the battle marked the end of the Viking Age in Europe.
Today, Harald Hardrada is still one of the most famous and respected Viking kings in Norwegian history. His courageous and adventurous life has inspired many, and his legacy lives on in Norway today.
Harald and Ellisiv (Elisaveta), oldest daughter of Yaroslav the Wise of Kyiv.
When Harald, the last viking king, arrived in Kyiv in the early 1030s, he entered the service of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. He chose to serve in Yaroslav's army and rose through the ranks. Eventually, he became a chieftain for the Norwegian part of the army. The Norwegian soldiers were driven into exile after their chieftains or kings were defeated at home, including at Stiklestad.
A close bond developed between Yaroslav and Harald, and Harald asked for his daughter Ellisiv's hand in marriage. Both she and the prince refused - one can imagine that this caused a bad mood in the Norwegian camp.
However, Harald thought long-term and took care of the alliance with Yaroslav.slav.
After becoming an immensely wealthy man, as an officer in the imperial guard in Constantinople and with clear ambitions to take the throne in Norway, Harald traveled home via Kyiv. This time he proposed to Ellisiv again, and received a YES. Ellisiv was one of four sisters who were all married into European royal houses.
Why was Harald, the last Viking king, called Hardrada?
Harald Hardrada was called "Hardrada" because he was a tough and fearless leader who was always willing to take risks to achieve his goals. He was also known for his strength and endurance, and he was a skilled warrior and military commander. He was one of the few Viking kings who managed to unite much of Norway under his rule.
Harald Hardrada was also known for his military expeditions and conquests. He was involved in wars and conflicts in both Denmark and Sweden.
Harald's Artistic Soul
Harald Hardrada, still known as the last viking king, was a great supporter of art and culture, and he was a major patron of skalds, who wrote and performed poems and songs about the Vikings' exploits.
The Ringerike Style is Born
At the same time that Olaf Haraldson and Harald Sigurdson ruled, there was a large quarry on Ulvøya island in Steinsfjorden. There they quarried red Ringerike sandstone. This sandstone was used, among other things, for large rune stones, of which the most important, the Dynnastein, is on display at the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo.
Drawing of the Fenris wolf in Ringerike style by Erik Audun Utiskog
These stones were richly decorated in a style that today is called the Ringerike Style.
This style is found today on a number of objects scattered throughout Europe. From Senja in the north to Sicily in the south, from Dublin in the west to Ukraine in the east, one finds traces of a common European cultural heritage that is also carved in stone here in Ringerike. This tells us that the Vikings were also interested in beautiful art and trade in such objects.
Historical Finds
Another significant archaeological find is the Gjermundbu find. A burial mound on the Gjermundbu farm in Ringerike turned out to contain a richly equipped warrior grave. Here they also found one of very few fully reconstructed helmets from the Viking Age, the Gjermundbu helmet.
Photo: Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo / Ove Holst
Even today, we find traces of our ancestors in the geography of Ringerike. Many have probably enjoyed a day at the beach in Onsakervika, without thinking about the fact that the name means "the bay by Odin's field."
The view of Onsakervika can be enjoyed from Frøhaug, "Frey's Mound". Before you head north to Norderhov, "Njord's Mound".
This whole story and more is included plays a huge part in our viking ship build at Sundvollen.
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