HAROLD III., surnamed Stern in Council (Harald Haardraade or Hardrada), son of Jarl Sigurd, half-brother of King Olaf the Holy, and descended by his father from Harold I., was one of the most distinguished warriors among the old Norse kings. About his fifteenth year he made his escape wounded from the battle of Stiklestad (1030), where his half-brother Olaf was killed; and after staying till he was cured of his wounds with a “bonde” in a forest, he made his way to Sweden, whence after the winter wa3 over he went to Russia, where he was kiudly received by King Yaroslaf of Novgorod. He remained in Russia for several years, but, being refused the hand of a Russian princess, he betook himself with several companions to’ Constantinople, and became chief commander of the famous Byzantine life-guards known as Varangians, and consisting almost wholly of Norsemen. At the head of these warriors he gained many victories over the Saracens in Sicily and Italy. It is even said that in a crusade against the infidels he penetrated as far as Jerusalem, but most probably if he entered that city it was in the peaceful character of a pilgrim. Returning after his exploits to Constantinople, he was refused the hand of a niece of the empress Zoe, because, according to the legend, the empress herself was enamoured of him; and offended at the refusal he one night made his escape with two galleys, carrying with him all his treasures, and also it is said the princess whose hand had been denied him, whom, however, he put on shore after he had passed the Bosphorus, with a message to the empress that, if lie had so willed, her power would have been vain against his strategy aud skill. He now set sail for Russia, where he was warmly welcomed by King Yaroslaf; and as he was now a man of great ...