Magnus Haraldsson

Who is Magnus Haraldsson?

Magnus Haraldsson was a King of Norway from 1142 until his death around 1145, reigning together with three of his brothers. He was a son of Harald IV Gille of Norway by an unknown concubine.

Magnus was born sometime after 1130, when his father arrived in Norway. He was raised by the chieftain Kyrpinga-Orm at Støle in Sunnhordland. He does not appear to have been taken as king after his father's death together with his brothers Sigurd and Inge. He first appears in the sagas in 1142, when Harald's oldest son, Eystein, came from Scotland an became king, together with Magnus. In a poem by the skald Einar Skuleson, all the four are counted as kings at the same time. In contrast to his three brothers who are praised for deeds as warriors, Magnus is said to "make peace between the men". According to the sagas, Magnus had poor feet, and he became sick and died at a young age. He has later generally not been listed in Norwegian regnal lists. He appears in some lists, however.