Study › Runes & Norse › Harald Wartooth
Harald Wartooth is a legendary Danish king, famed for the greatest battle of the North, Brávellir. Old and blind, he went to war so as not to die in his bed, and was struck down by his own charioteer, perhaps Odin in disguise.
Who was Harald Wartooth?
Harald Wartooth is a legendary Danish king, famed for the greatest battle of the North, Brávellir. As Saxo Grammaticus tells it, Harald was old and blind, and feared to die in his bed rather than among weapons, so he went to war against his nephew, Sigurd Ring of Sweden. Warriors came from all over the world; the fields ran with blood. Harald fought standing in a chariot, and at its height was struck down with a club by his own charioteer, Bruni, so that he would die in battle and not in bed. Bruni was never seen again, and many have read him as Odin himself in disguise, come to take the king who had served him. The victor, Sigurd Ring, gave Harald a great funeral, burning him with his horse and chariot, and bid him ride to Valhalla to greet the gods.
He was burned and sent to Valhalla; see Viking funerals and Odin.
Questions
Who killed Harald Wartooth?
His charioteer Bruni, whom many read as Odin in disguise.
Who tells the story?
Saxo Grammaticus, in the Gesta Danorum.