Harald Gille (1103-14 December 1136) was King of Norway from 7 January 1135 to 14 December 1136, succeeding Magnus IV and preceding Sigurd II of Norway.
Biography[]
Harald Gille was born in Ireland in 1103, and he claimed to be an illegitimate son of King Magnus Barelegs of Norway. In 1127, he came to Norway and met with King Sigurd the Crusader, claiming to be his long-lost half-brother. After Harald endured a trial by fire, Sigurd recognized him as his brother, but he made him swear to not claim the throne as long as he and his son Magnus IV of Norway lived. Harald agreed to this compromise, but he reneged upon the agreement when Sigurd died in 1130. From Tonsberg, Harald called a Thing and was granted half of the country, while Magnus IV was given the other half. In 1134, Magnus declared war on Harald and defeated him at Farlev in Bohuslan, forcing Harald to flee to Denmark. Magnus grew overconfident and disbanded his army, allowing for Harald to return to Norway in January 1135 with a Danish army and ambush and capture Magnus at Bergen. Harald had Magnus blinded, castrated, and left with just one leg, seizing power for himself. However, in 1136, Sigurd Slembe - another alleged bastard of Magus Barelegs - murdered Harald and attempted to seize the throne for himself.