# Harald Gormson — Styrbiorn the Strong character guide

> Harald Gormson in Styrbiorn the Strong by E. R. Eddison.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** King Harald Gormson, Harald, King Harald, the King

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-queen-sigrid-the-haughty

## Snapshot

King of Denmark and Styrbiorn's uneasy ally, Harald chafes at being kept in the dark while greater men determine the fate of the North.

## Who they are

Harald waits in Alaburg while Styrbiorn vanishes eastward with his bride Thyri, growing more discontented by the day as Danish levies flock to a host he does not command. He questions Bui and Sigvaldi for answers but finds them a dry well, and his chafing at Styrbiorn's secrecy reveals a king accustomed to control now reduced to waiting. His presence lends royal legitimacy to the enterprise, but his restlessness hints at the fragility of alliances built on necessity rather than trust.

## In the story

### [V: Yule in Denmark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/v-yule-in-denmark)

King of Denmark; hosts Styrbiorn and Biorn at Yule; outwardly jests but inwardly rankles at Styrbiorn's taunts; has a Christian priest and kirk.

### [VI: The Dane-King's Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/vi-the-dane-king-s-daughter)

Fears and hates Styrbiorn, tries to persuade him to leave, and later reconciles with gifts.

### [VIII: The King and the Queen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/viii-the-king-and-the-queen)

Reluctantly agrees to send his daughter Thyri to Upsala for marriage with Styrbiorn.

### [XII: The Cowing of the Dane-King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xii-the-cowing-of-the-dane-king)

Dane-King who is cowed by Styrbiorn's threats and reluctantly agrees to his terms, though with resentment.

### [XIII: The Sailing of the Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xiii-the-sailing-of-the-fleet)

Reconciled with Styrbiorn, he is compelled to sail with him in Ironbeak, kept close as a hostage. He shows outward amity but is effectively under Styrbiorn's control.

### [XV: Fyrisfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/chapters/xv-fyrisfield)

The Dane-King, kept under guard by Styrbiorn, escapes during the scree-fall and flees with his men.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters/harald_gormson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/styrbiorn_the_strong_se/characters