Harald Hardrada: the other 'Harold'

Beginning with the Bayeux Tapestry as a guide to what is remembered – and what is left out – the panel will uncover Harald's continent-spanning journey, following his travels from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean and beyond. The story then returns to England, where Harald met his dramatic end at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, a pivotal clash that altered the course of 1066 and finally ended the Viking threat in England. By re-examining his life and legacy, we can better understand why his absence from the Bayeux Tapestry is so striking.

A panel of experts, including Dr Gianluca Raccagni, Senior Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, discover how his adventures connected distant worlds and earned him a place among the most fascinating figures of the Viking Age. 

This event is part of the public programme supporting The Bayeux Tapestry (10 September 2026 – 11 July 2027).