Harald was born around 1040.
Son of King Sweyn II, Harald took part in Sweyn's 1069 raid of England alongside his uncle Jarl Asbjørn and his brother Canute.

After the death of his father in 1076, Harald was elected king in competition with his younger brother, Canute, at an assembly at Isøre near Odsherred.
In order to get elected, he took the vows called Harald's laws, declaring his will to uphold the existing rule of law.
During his rule, Harald met opposition from a number of his brothers, likely including Canute, who enlisted the support of Olaf III of Norway.
Pope Gregory VII mediated, advising Olaf not to take sides, and for Harald to share power with his brothers.

Harald was dependent on the great nobles of Denmark for his election, and did little to oppose them.
As a result, he fought no major wars and spent his energy improving the few things that lay in his purview.
He is best known for improving and standardizing Danish coinage, and established mints at Ribe, Viborg, Lund, and Schleswig.
He instituted public use of the Royal forests.
Harald also sought to change Danish legal customs.
Harald deplored the ancient customs of trial by combat and the jernbyrd trial by ordeal of holding red-hot iron bars, and introduced a system used by the English of calling upon honorable men to swear oaths on behalf of the parties in a trial.
He allegedly continued Sweyn's policy of requesting the Pope to grant a Danish Archbishopric, but was not successful.

Harald died on April 17, 1080, and was interred at Dalby Church in Scania.
He was succeeded as king by his brother, Canute IV.
Harald was born around 1040. Son of King Sweyn II, Harald took part in Sweyn's 1069 raid of England alongside his uncle Jarl Asbjørn and his brother Canute.
After the death of his father in 1076, Harald was elected king in competition with his younger brother, Canute, at an assembly at Isøre near Odsherred. In order to get elected, he took the vows called Harald's laws, declaring his will to uphold the existing rule of law. During his rule, Harald met opposition from a number of his brothers, likely including Canute, who enlisted the support of Olaf III of Norway. Pope Gregory VII mediated, advising Olaf not to take sides, and for Harald to share power with his brothers.
Harald was dependent on the great nobles of Denmark for his election, and did little to oppose them. As a result, he fought no major wars and spent his energy improving the few things that lay in his purview. He is best known for improving and standardizing Danish coinage, and established mints at Ribe, Viborg, Lund, and Schleswig. He instituted public use of the Royal forests. Harald also sought to change Danish legal customs. Harald deplored the ancient customs of trial by combat and the jernbyrd trial by ordeal of holding red-hot iron bars, and introduced a system used by the English of calling upon honorable men to swear oaths on behalf of the parties in a trial. He allegedly continued Sweyn's policy of requesting the Pope to grant a Danish Archbishopric, but was not successful.
Harald died on April 17, 1080, and was interred at Dalby Church in Scania. He was succeeded as king by his brother, Canute IV.
Harald III of Denmark