The Saga of Haraldr Hardrada was contained in the manuscript Heimskringla which was written in Iceland in c 1230. Only one page of the original manuscript survives, the rest was lost in a fire in 1728.
“Heimskringla is a collection of sagas about Swedish and Norwegian kings, beginning with the saga of the legendary Swedish dynasty of the Ynglings, followed by accounts of historical Norwegian rulers from Harald Fairhair of the 9th century up to the death of the pretender Eystein Meyla in 1177. [wiki]”
Following an error by Edward Freeman in his history of the Norman Conquest, the saga of Haraldr Hardrada is often misnamed ‘Heimskringla’ in popular history books.
Note that Wace’s account (above) was written approximately 100 years after 1066, this account was written some 60 years after Wace. The saga is not a direct replica of Wace’s account but follows its own agenda.
SAGA OF HARALD HARDRADE.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/598/598-h/598-h.htm#link2H_4_0539
Chapter 77 of the saga describes King Edward and his family. His wife Queen Edith Godwinson is given five brothers, Tostig, the eldest, then Morcar, Waltheof, Sweyn and finally Harold.
“and the fifth was Harald, who was the youngest, and he was brought up at King Edward's court, and was his foster-son. The king loved him very much, and kept him as his own son; for he had no children.”
Chapter 78 describes Harold’s visit to Normandy and William’s court. There is no mention of any oath taken by Harold to support William’s claim to be Edward’s heir. The chapter focuses on an engagement between Harold and one of the daughters of William. Her name is not given and no account is given of his existing relationship with Edith Swanneck. Chapter 79 notes that Harold did not return to fulfil the betrothal. The same chapter describes the death and burial of King Edward, giving the wrong death date.
Edward was king over England for twenty-three years and died on a bed of sickness in London on the 5th of January, and was buried in Paul's church. Englishmen call him a saint.
Chapter 80 describes the positions of Tostig and Harold within Edward’s court.
The sons of Earl Godwin were the most powerful men in England. Toste was made chief of the English king's army, and was his land-defence man when the king began to grow old; and he was also placed above all the other earls. His brother Harald was always with the court itself, and nearest to the king in all service, and had the charge of the king's treasure-chamber.
The saga repeats the accusation that Harold faked Edward’s bestowal of the throne and that he used false witnesses to support his claim. It gives the wrong date for his coronation.
It is said that when the king was approaching his last hour, Harald and a few others were with him. Harald first leans down over the king, and then said, "I take you all to witness that the king has now given me the kingdom, and all the realm of England:" and then the king was taken dead out of the bed.
The same day there was a meeting of the chiefs, at which there was some talk of choosing a king; and then Harald brought forward his witnesses that King Edward had given him the kingdom on his dying day. The meeting ended by choosing Harald as king, and he was consecrated and crowned the 13th day of Yule, in Paul's church. Then all the chiefs and all the people submitted to him.
Haraldr Hardrada’s Saga is concerned principally with the activities of Tostig and Haraldr Hardrada with respect to the invasion of York in 1066. It is not concerned with William the Bastard until the end of the saga when it describes his arrival in England and the death of Harold at the battle of Hastings. It does not present any claim that Harold Godwinson made oaths to William concerning the throne. Chapter 99 describes William’s reaction to the death of Edward.
When the Earl of Rouen, William the Bastard, heard of his relation, King Edward's, death, and also that Harald Godwinson was chosen, crowned, and consecrated king of England, it appeared to him that he had a better right to the kingdom of England than Harald, by reason of the relationship between him and King Edward. He thought, also, that he had grounds for avenging the affront that Harald had put upon him with respect to his daughter. From all these grounds William gathered together a great army in Normandy, and had many men, and sufficient transport-shipping.
Chapter 80 relates that Tostig felt that Harold had robbed him of the throne, especially as he was the older brother, and he challenges Harold.
Now when his brother, Earl Toste, heard of this [Harold’s Coronation] he took it very ill, as he thought himself quite as well entitled to be king. "I want," said he, "that the principal men of the country choose him whom they think best fitted for it." And sharp words passed between the brothers. King Harald says he will not give up his kingly dignity, for he is seated on the throne which kings sat upon, and is anointed and consecrated a king. On his side also was the strength of the people, for he had the king's whole treasure.
In Chapter 81, King Harold strips Tostig of his command and Tostig voluntarily leaves for Flanders. According to the English sources, Tostig had been exiled in Flanders since late October 1065 and was not present for the death of Edward.
Now when King Harald perceived that his brother Toste wanted to have him deprived of the kingdom he did not trust him; for Toste was a clever man, and a great warrior, and was in friendship with the principal men of the country. He therefore took the command of the army from Toste, and also all the power he had beyond that of the other earls of the country. Earl Toste, again, would not submit to be his own brother's serving man; therefore he went with his people over the sea to Flanders, and stayed there awhile, then went to Friesland, and from thence to Denmark.
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