| On 26 September 1066, the Viking Age came to an end with the death of Haraldr Harđrađi at the Battle of Stamford. The subsequent historical interpretation of Harđrađi has always cast his character as the stereotypical Wagnerian Viking berserker, motivated by the pursuit of loot and glory. However, this thesis argues that Harđrađi was a much more complex character. He transcended the roles of traditional Scandinavian chieftains by combining contemporary elements of monarchal rule with conventional Scandinavian aspects to govern Norway effectively. He employed new methods and perspectives to develop a more cosmopolitan kingdom with power consolidated within his regal authority. Through his experiences at Novgorod and Constantinople, his shift in military strategy, and his use of Christianity as a form of social cohesion, Harđrađi formed a legitimately different legacy that cemented his role in Western history as something more than a mere berserker. |
