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