It is said (by
Snorri Sturluson in
King Harald's Saga, part of
Heimskringla) that it was Harald who blinded the
Emperor of
Constantinople. Whilst no other historian makes this precise claim, no-one else is credited with the blinding (which did happen
1, although not to the emperor Snorri says it did
2) and it is an action quite in character for the man they called 'the
Ruthless'. Much of his money made in the
Varangians was plunder from
Crete, although he also campaigned against bandits in the
Jordan region of
Israel. It is said that
Harold Godwinsson said that all the English land Harald could have was 'seven feet, or as much as he is taller than other men' - in other words, a grave. Harald's poetic ability was somewhat mixed, as Snorri records that on at least one occasion the King extemporised a verse to his men, and then decided it was a bad poem, and set to work producing a better one.
1: To
Michael V.
2:
Michael IV.