Biography
Harald was born around 1040. Son of king Sweyn II Estridsson, Harald took part in Sweyn's 1069 raid of England alongside his uncle Jarl Asbjørn and his brother Canute, the later king Canute IV the Saint.
After the death of his father, King Sweyn, Harald was elected king in competition with his younger brother, Canute, at the Zealand Assembly (Danish: Landsting) at Isøre near Odsherred. Accounts of the year include both 1074 and 1076, with the Monarchy of Denmark officially setting the year as 1074, two years before the death of Sweyn. In order to get elected, he took the vows called Harald's laws, declaring his will to uphold the existing rule of law. During his rule, Harald met opposition from a number of his brothers, likely including Canute, who enlisted the support of Olaf III of Norway. Pope Gregory VII mediated, advising Olaf not to take sides, and for Harald to share power with his brothers.
Harald was dependent on the great nobles of Denmark for his election, and did little to oppose them. As a result, he fought no major wars and spent his energy improving the few things that lay in his purview. He is best known for improving and standardizing Danish coinage, and established mints at Ribe, Viborg, Lund, and Schleswig. He instituted public use of the Royal forrests. Harald also sought to change Danish legal customs. Harald deplored the ancient customs of trial by combat and the jernbyrd trial by ordeal of holding red-hot iron bars, and introduced a system used by the English of calling upon honorable men to swear oaths on behalf of the parties in a trial. He allegedly continued Sweyn's politic of seeking a Danish Archbishopric with the Pope, but was not successful.
Harald died on April 17, 1080, and was interred at Dalby Church in Scania. He was succeeded as king by his brother Canute IV the Saint.
Read more about this topic: Harald III Of Denmark
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