CHAPTER XII.

HAROLD HARDRADA:--His personal appearance--Harold at the battle of Stiklestad is wounded--Harold with his companions goes to Constantinople and takes service as a varing--The varings--Goes to Africa and Sicily, and makes an armed pilgrimage to Jerusalem--Drives out the Moslems--Returns to Constantinople--Is enamoured of Maria, niece of the Empress Zoe--The Empress in love with Harold--Magnus, the illegitimate son of Olaf, usurps the throne of Norway--Harold, wishing to assert his superior claim, is detained in Constantinople by the Empress--Is delivered by a Greek lady--Rouses his companions, carries off Maria, and sets sail for Denmark--Hardrada shares the throne with Magnus--Death of Magnus--Tostig applies to Hardrada for assistance against Harold, King of England--Tostig makes a descent on England--Hardrada sails for England--The apprehensions of the Norwegians