Harold
Harold , or Harald , the name of two kings of England, five kings of Norway, and three kings of Denmark.
EnglandHarold I(?–1040), called Harold Harefoot, ruled 1035–40. He was the illegitimate son of King Knut (Canute). On Knut's death in 1035 both Harold and his half-brother Hardecanute claimed the English throne. Harold was elected king by the Witenagemot (royal council) in 1037.
Harold II(1022?–1066), who ruled in 1066, was the last Saxon king of England. Harold was the son of Godwin, Earl of Wessex. and succeeded his father as earl in 1053. He became chief adviser to King Edward the Confessor, his brother-in-law.
Harold succeeded Edward as king in January, 1066. However, William, Duke of Normandy, contended that Harold had promised to help him become king when Edward died. (If Harold had made such a promise—which he denied—it would have been while a prisoner of William after being shipwrecked off the coast of France in 1064.) In September, 1066, in the Battle of Stamford Bridge, Harold routed invading forces led by his brother Tostig and Harold III of Norway. Meanwhile, William had invaded England. Harold rushed his army to meet this threat, and in the resulting battle—the Battle of Hastings—Harold's army was defeated and he was killed.
NorwayHarold I(850?–933?), called Haarfager (the Fair-haired), ruled 860–930. He was the first king of a unified Norway. Harold was the son of a jarl , or petty king. In a decisive naval battle, 872, Harold subdued the rival jarls. Many of them fled Norway, some colonizing Iceland. He soon expanded his rule to the Shetland and Orkney islands. Norse raids on the coasts of Europe reached their peak during his reign.
Harold II(935–970) ruled 960–70.
Harold III(1015–1066), called Haardraade (Hard Ruler), ruled 1047–66. He was a descendant of Harold I. During Harold's reign the city of Oslo was founded. In 1066 he invaded England, but was killed in the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Harold IV(1103–1136) ruled 1130–36.
Harold V(1937-) succeeded his father, Olaf V, as king of Norway in 1991.
DenmarkHarold I(?–985), called Blaatand (Bluetooth), ruled from about 940 to 985. Harold became a Christian and brought missionaries from Germany to convert the Danes. He also established his rule over part of Norway. Harold was overthrown by his son, Sweyn I, called “Forkbeard.”
Harold II(989–1018) ruled 1014–18.
Harold III(1041–1080) ruled 1074–80.