Magnus III of Norway
Encyclopedia
Magnus Barefoot or Magnus III Olafsson (1073 – 24 August 1103) was King of Norway from 1093 until 1103 and King of Mann and the Isles from 1099 until 1103.
, grandson of King Harald Hardrada and great-nephew of King Olaf the Saint. The epithet berfœtt means barefoot or bareleg and, according to the Icelandic writer Snorri Sturluson, it came from his habit of wearing Gaelic-style clothing, leaving the lower legs bare. According to the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus
, he got the nickname because he was forced to flee from an attack in his bare feet.
Norway had experienced a period of peace during the reign of Magnus' father Olaf Kyrri
. In the autumn of 1093 King Olaf died and Magnus was hailed as king in Viken
in the month of September. Initially he had a rival in his cousin, Hakon Magnusson who was the son of Olaf's short-lived brother King Magnus II of Norway
. A peaceful settlement was put in place but the relationship between the two was tense. As Håkon was only recognized at Oppland
and in Trøndelag
, his rule was in practice of limited importance. There was no armed confrontation between the two before Håkon died suddenly in February 1095.
Magnus Barefoot's rule lasted for 10 years, a period when Norway moved in some respects into the European models of church organisation, and for a short time into more centralised royal rule.
. In 1098 Magnus left with a fleet of 60 ships and 5,000 men to Orkney, where the strength of the fleet led to a reinforcement of the Norwegian king's dominion. Magnus Barefoot then led his fleet from Mann
to Ynys Môn, Gwynedd
, and appeared off of the coast at Ynys Seiriol (Puffin Island), interrupting a Norman victory celebration after they had recently defeated the Welsh
of Gwynedd
.
In the battle that followed between the Norman
occupiers and the Norse, known as the Battle of Anglesey Sound, Magnus shot dead the earl of Shrewsbury
with an arrow to the eye. The Norse left as suddenly as they had arrived, leaving the Norman army weakened and demoralized. Magnus conquered the Orkney Islands
, the Hebrides
and the Isle of Man
. Edgar, King of Scotland signed a treaty with Magnus setting the boundary between Scots and Norwegian claims in the west. By ceding claims to the Hebrides
and Kintyre
to Magnus, Edgar acknowledged the practical realities of the existing situation. Magnus returned to Norway in early 1099.
to secure the Norwegian border, and to pacify the areas along the economically important traffic artery. By the big lake Vänern he let build a fortication with a garrison of 300 men. The Swedish king demanded that the Norwegians surrender and they subsequently returned to Norway. In the year 1100, King Magnus began a campaign against Swedish King Inge Stenkilsson of Sweden to support his claim in the countryside west of Lake Vänern. He sacked a larger area of Götaland. But the war did not lead to lasting results. At the peace meeting in 1101 (called the meeting of the three kings) at Kungahälla
in Norwegian Båhuslen, now Kungälv
, three Scandinavian kings were present; King Inge the Elder of Sweden, King Eric I of Denmark
, and King Magnus of Norway. Magnus agreed to marriage with King Inge's daughter Margaret Fredkulla
at part of the peace settlement.
. He made an alliance with the powerful Munster
king and self-proclaimed High King of Ireland
, Muirchertach Ua Briain, whose young daughter married Magnus's young son, Sigurd I Magnusson
. Muirchertach had controlled Dublin since 1093, and at this stage in his career seems to have regarded Magnus as an ally with the necessary seapower in his ongoing war with the Mac Lochlainn dynasty of the north-west.
In 1103 they made a joint assault in the north, where Muirchertach's forces were routed. Magnus then decided to return to Norway. He sent a message with a small group of his men to Muirchertach Ua Briain, who had returned to Connaught
, requesting provisions for the sea journey ahead of them. According to the sagas, while awaiting these supplies, they went on land through a marshy area and saw a large dust cloud on the horizon. It was discovered that it was indeed the men with the supplies they were awaiting.
It was at this point that a large force of the Ulaid came out from their hiding places in the marsh and copses, putting into action an ambush. The Norse forces were taken by surprise and were not in battle order. Magnus attempted to assert control over his disordered army, ordering a portion of his force to seize the more secure ground and provide archer fire to slow down the Irish. In the ensuing melee, King Magnus received wounds to his legs, being pierced by a spear through both thighs above the knees but he fought on, attempting to get his men back to the level ground of the camp site. An axe wielding Irishman charged the King and struck him in the neck, before he was himself killed by Magnus's personal guard. King Magnus died where he fell on St Bartholomew's day 24th Aug 1103, aged 29 years. He was the last Norwegian king to fall in battle abroad. The Norse who escaped the ambush sailed back to Norway. One of Magnus' men who survived the attack took Magnus' famous sword Legbiter
back to Norway.
, daughter of King Inge the Elder of Sweden and Queen Helena
, whom he married in 1101 at Kungahälla
. The marriage had been arranged as a part of the peace treaty between Sweden and Norway. Margaret was from this point known as Margaret Fredkulla meaning "Margaret the Maiden of Peace". They did not have surviving children. Magnus' illegitimate daughter Ragnhild Magnusdotter married Harald Kesja
, an illegitimate son of Eric I of Denmark
.
At the time of the death of King Magnus, his known sons were Øystein Magnusson
, Sigurd Magnusson
and Olaf Magnusson
. They all had different mothers. They jointly succeeded Magnus as kings of Norway. Harald Gille
and Sigurd Slembedjakn later came forward and both claimed to also be sons of King Magnus and thus heirs to the throne. Harald Gilli became King Harald IV of Norway following the death of his half-brother King Sigurd in 1130.
recounts his death while an ally of Muirchertach. ' These accounts tell that he died "a Ulaztiri",'in the land of the Ulaid
, contiguous to modern Ulster
, which by the late eleventh century largely comprised the majority of what are now known as Counties Antrim and Down. The political alliances of the time indicate activity in this area.
It is believed that Magnus's final battle was fought in an area known locally as the War Hollow, situated in the town of Portrush
, County Antrim
. It is known that a battle took place there between an Irish army and invaders around that period and artefacts have been found from the era.
Another suggested site is near Downpatrick. The study of the annals and the folklore
of Strangford Lough
, in County Down, Northern Ireland tell of Viking dominance over the Lough area from the 9th to the 11th Century. The Downpatrick runestone monument marking the site was erected in March 2003 to mark the 900th anniversary of his death.
Background
Magnus was the son of King Olaf KyrreOlaf III of Norway
Olaf Kyrre , or Olaf III Haraldsson, was King of Norway from 1067 to 1093. He was present at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in England in 1066 where his father, Harald Hardrada, saw defeat and was killed in action...
, grandson of King Harald Hardrada and great-nephew of King Olaf the Saint. The epithet berfœtt means barefoot or bareleg and, according to the Icelandic writer Snorri Sturluson, it came from his habit of wearing Gaelic-style clothing, leaving the lower legs bare. According to the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus
Saxo Grammaticus
Saxo Grammaticus also known as Saxo cognomine Longus was a Danish historian, thought to have been a secular clerk or secretary to Absalon, Archbishop of Lund, foremost advisor to Valdemar I of Denmark. He is the author of the first full history of Denmark.- Life :The Jutland Chronicle gives...
, he got the nickname because he was forced to flee from an attack in his bare feet.
Reign
Olaf III of Norway
Olaf Kyrre , or Olaf III Haraldsson, was King of Norway from 1067 to 1093. He was present at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in England in 1066 where his father, Harald Hardrada, saw defeat and was killed in action...
. In the autumn of 1093 King Olaf died and Magnus was hailed as king in Viken
Viken
Viken was the historical name for the district in southeastern Norway, including the area surrounding the Oslofjord and Skagerrak, the strait running between Norway and the southwest coast of Sweden and the Jutland peninsula of Denmark.-History:...
in the month of September. Initially he had a rival in his cousin, Hakon Magnusson who was the son of Olaf's short-lived brother King Magnus II of Norway
Magnus II of Norway
Magnus II Haraldsson was King of Norway from 1066 to 1069, jointly with his brother Olaf Kyrre from 1067.-Background:Magnus was a son of King Harald III of Norway...
. A peaceful settlement was put in place but the relationship between the two was tense. As Håkon was only recognized at Oppland
Oppland
is a county in Norway, bordering Sør-Trøndelag, Møre og Romsdal, Sogn og Fjordane, Buskerud, Akershus, Oslo and Hedmark. The county administration is in Lillehammer. Oppland is, together with Hedmark, one of the only two landlocked counties of Norway....
and in Trøndelag
Trøndelag
Trøndelag is the name of a geographical region in the central part of Norway, consisting of the two counties Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag. The region is, together with Møre og Romsdal, part of a larger...
, his rule was in practice of limited importance. There was no armed confrontation between the two before Håkon died suddenly in February 1095.
Magnus Barefoot's rule lasted for 10 years, a period when Norway moved in some respects into the European models of church organisation, and for a short time into more centralised royal rule.
Irish Sea Campaign
Magnus sought to re-establish Norwegian influence around the Irish SeaIrish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
. In 1098 Magnus left with a fleet of 60 ships and 5,000 men to Orkney, where the strength of the fleet led to a reinforcement of the Norwegian king's dominion. Magnus Barefoot then led his fleet from Mann
Mann
Mann may refer to:* Isle of Man, known as "Mann" as an alternative shorter name* Mann , a Nazi paramilitary rank* Mannaz, the Futhorc m-rune* Mann Theatres, a theatre chain corporation* Mann , a Norwegian magazine...
to Ynys Môn, Gwynedd
Gwynedd in the High Middle Ages
The history of Gwynedd in the High Middle Ages is a period in the History of Wales spanning the 11th through the 13th centuries. Gwynedd, located in the north of Wales, eventually became the most dominant of Welsh principalities during this period...
, and appeared off of the coast at Ynys Seiriol (Puffin Island), interrupting a Norman victory celebration after they had recently defeated the Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
of Gwynedd
Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
.
In the battle that followed between the Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
occupiers and the Norse, known as the Battle of Anglesey Sound, Magnus shot dead the earl of Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
with an arrow to the eye. The Norse left as suddenly as they had arrived, leaving the Norman army weakened and demoralized. Magnus conquered the Orkney Islands
Orkney Islands
Orkney also known as the Orkney Islands , is an archipelago in northern Scotland, situated north of the coast of Caithness...
, the Hebrides
Hebrides
The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive...
and the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
. Edgar, King of Scotland signed a treaty with Magnus setting the boundary between Scots and Norwegian claims in the west. By ceding claims to the Hebrides
Hebrides
The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive...
and Kintyre
Kintyre
Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The region stretches approximately 30 miles , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south, to East Loch Tarbert in the north...
to Magnus, Edgar acknowledged the practical realities of the existing situation. Magnus returned to Norway in early 1099.
War with Sweden
In 1097 Magnus Barefoot had first moved into GötalandGötaland
Götaland , Gothia, Gothland, Gothenland, Gautland or Geatland is one of three lands of Sweden and comprises provinces...
to secure the Norwegian border, and to pacify the areas along the economically important traffic artery. By the big lake Vänern he let build a fortication with a garrison of 300 men. The Swedish king demanded that the Norwegians surrender and they subsequently returned to Norway. In the year 1100, King Magnus began a campaign against Swedish King Inge Stenkilsson of Sweden to support his claim in the countryside west of Lake Vänern. He sacked a larger area of Götaland. But the war did not lead to lasting results. At the peace meeting in 1101 (called the meeting of the three kings) at Kungahälla
Kungahälla
Kungahälla was a medieval Norwegian settlement in southern Bohuslän at a site which is presently located in Kungälv Municipality in Västra Götaland County in Sweden...
in Norwegian Båhuslen, now Kungälv
Kungälv
Kungälv is a city and the seat of Kungälv Municipality in Västra Götaland County, Sweden. It had 21,139 inhabitants in 2005.-History:According to Swedish official sources the city was founded in 1612, when the former settlement at Kungahälla was moved to the Bohus Fortress...
, three Scandinavian kings were present; King Inge the Elder of Sweden, King Eric I of Denmark
Eric I of Denmark
Eric I Evergood , also known as Eric the Good, , was King of Denmark following his brother Olaf I Hunger in 1095. He was a son of king Sweyn II Estridsson, by his wife Gunhild Sveinsdotter, and married Boedil Thurgotsdatter.-Biography:...
, and King Magnus of Norway. Magnus agreed to marriage with King Inge's daughter Margaret Fredkulla
Margaret Fredkulla
Margaret Fredkulla of Sweden was a medieval Scandinavian queen, Princess of Sweden and Queen consort of Denmark and Norway, married to King Magnus III of Norway and King Niels of Denmark, and regent de facto of Denmark. She is known as Margareta Fredkulla in Sweden, Margret Fredskolla in Norway...
at part of the peace settlement.
Irish Campaign/Death in battle
According to the sagas, in 1103 Magnus set out again to raid in IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. He made an alliance with the powerful Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
king and self-proclaimed High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
, Muirchertach Ua Briain, whose young daughter married Magnus's young son, Sigurd I Magnusson
Sigurd I of Norway
Sigurd I Magnusson , also known as Sigurd the Crusader , was King of Norway from 1103 to 1130. His rule, together with his brother Eystein I of Norway , has been regarded by historians as a golden age for the medieval Kingdom of Norway...
. Muirchertach had controlled Dublin since 1093, and at this stage in his career seems to have regarded Magnus as an ally with the necessary seapower in his ongoing war with the Mac Lochlainn dynasty of the north-west.
"King Magnus was in winter (A.D. 1102) up in Connaught with King Myrkjartan, but set men to defend the country he had taken. Towards spring both kings went westward with their army all the way to Ulster, where they had many battles, subdued the country, and had conquered the greatest part of Ulster when Myrkjartan returned home to Connaught." The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway, Magnus Barefoot's Saga.
In 1103 they made a joint assault in the north, where Muirchertach's forces were routed. Magnus then decided to return to Norway. He sent a message with a small group of his men to Muirchertach Ua Briain, who had returned to Connaught
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
, requesting provisions for the sea journey ahead of them. According to the sagas, while awaiting these supplies, they went on land through a marshy area and saw a large dust cloud on the horizon. It was discovered that it was indeed the men with the supplies they were awaiting.
It was at this point that a large force of the Ulaid came out from their hiding places in the marsh and copses, putting into action an ambush. The Norse forces were taken by surprise and were not in battle order. Magnus attempted to assert control over his disordered army, ordering a portion of his force to seize the more secure ground and provide archer fire to slow down the Irish. In the ensuing melee, King Magnus received wounds to his legs, being pierced by a spear through both thighs above the knees but he fought on, attempting to get his men back to the level ground of the camp site. An axe wielding Irishman charged the King and struck him in the neck, before he was himself killed by Magnus's personal guard. King Magnus died where he fell on St Bartholomew's day 24th Aug 1103, aged 29 years. He was the last Norwegian king to fall in battle abroad. The Norse who escaped the ambush sailed back to Norway. One of Magnus' men who survived the attack took Magnus' famous sword Legbiter
Legbiter
Legbiter was the sword of Magnus III of Norway.When King Magnus was killed in an ambush by the Men of Ulster, his sword was retrieved and sent home....
back to Norway.
Succession
Magnus' consort was Margaret FredkullaMargaret Fredkulla
Margaret Fredkulla of Sweden was a medieval Scandinavian queen, Princess of Sweden and Queen consort of Denmark and Norway, married to King Magnus III of Norway and King Niels of Denmark, and regent de facto of Denmark. She is known as Margareta Fredkulla in Sweden, Margret Fredskolla in Norway...
, daughter of King Inge the Elder of Sweden and Queen Helena
Helena, Queen of Sweden
Queen Helena or Elin, also known as Maer, Mär or Mö , was a Swedish queen consort, spouse of King Inge the Elder and the sister of King Blot-Sweyn of Sweden.-Biography:The background of Queen Helena is unconfirmed. She is believed to have been from Östergötland...
, whom he married in 1101 at Kungahälla
Kungahälla
Kungahälla was a medieval Norwegian settlement in southern Bohuslän at a site which is presently located in Kungälv Municipality in Västra Götaland County in Sweden...
. The marriage had been arranged as a part of the peace treaty between Sweden and Norway. Margaret was from this point known as Margaret Fredkulla meaning "Margaret the Maiden of Peace". They did not have surviving children. Magnus' illegitimate daughter Ragnhild Magnusdotter married Harald Kesja
Harald Kesja
Harald Kesja, Harald the Spear, was the son of Eric I of Denmark and anti-king of Denmark.He acted as regent 1103-1104 for his father while he was on pilgrimage to Jerusalem alongside Archbishop Asser of Lund. As regent, he was courageous, but violent, cruel and debauched. Harald plundered far and...
, an illegitimate son of Eric I of Denmark
Eric I of Denmark
Eric I Evergood , also known as Eric the Good, , was King of Denmark following his brother Olaf I Hunger in 1095. He was a son of king Sweyn II Estridsson, by his wife Gunhild Sveinsdotter, and married Boedil Thurgotsdatter.-Biography:...
.
At the time of the death of King Magnus, his known sons were Øystein Magnusson
Eystein I of Norway
Eystein I Magnusson was king of Norway from 1103 to 1123.-Biography:Eystein became king, together with his brothers Sigurd and Olaf, when his father Magnus Barefoot died in 1103...
, Sigurd Magnusson
Sigurd I of Norway
Sigurd I Magnusson , also known as Sigurd the Crusader , was King of Norway from 1103 to 1130. His rule, together with his brother Eystein I of Norway , has been regarded by historians as a golden age for the medieval Kingdom of Norway...
and Olaf Magnusson
Olaf Magnusson of Norway
Olaf Magnusson was king of Norway 1103–1115. He was the son of King Magnus Barefoot and Sigrid, daughter of Sakse of Vik....
. They all had different mothers. They jointly succeeded Magnus as kings of Norway. Harald Gille
Harald IV of Norway
Harald Gille was king of Norway from 1130 until his death in 1136. His byname Gille is probably from Gilla Críst, i.e. servant of Christ.-Background:...
and Sigurd Slembedjakn later came forward and both claimed to also be sons of King Magnus and thus heirs to the throne. Harald Gilli became King Harald IV of Norway following the death of his half-brother King Sigurd in 1130.
Place of Death/Burial Site
The thirteenth-century Chronicle of the Kings of Man and the Isles says that he was buried at the church of Saint Patrick in Down. The Icelandic writer Snorri SturlusonSnorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing...
recounts his death while an ally of Muirchertach. ' These accounts tell that he died "a Ulaztiri",'in the land of the Ulaid
Ulaid
The Ulaid or Ulaidh were a people of early Ireland who gave their name to the modern province of Ulster...
, contiguous to modern Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
, which by the late eleventh century largely comprised the majority of what are now known as Counties Antrim and Down. The political alliances of the time indicate activity in this area.
It is believed that Magnus's final battle was fought in an area known locally as the War Hollow, situated in the town of Portrush
Portrush
Portrush is a small seaside resort town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on the County Londonderry border. The main part of the old town, including the railway station as well as most hotels, restaurants and bars, is built on a mile–long peninsula, Ramore Head, pointing north-northwest....
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
. It is known that a battle took place there between an Irish army and invaders around that period and artefacts have been found from the era.
Another suggested site is near Downpatrick. The study of the annals and the folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
of Strangford Lough
Strangford Lough
Strangford Lough, sometimes Strangford Loch, is a large sea loch or inlet in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is separated from the Irish Sea by the Ards Peninsula. The name Strangford is derived ; describing the fast-flowing narrows at its mouth...
, in County Down, Northern Ireland tell of Viking dominance over the Lough area from the 9th to the 11th Century. The Downpatrick runestone monument marking the site was erected in March 2003 to mark the 900th anniversary of his death.
External links
- Who was Magnus? from the Magnus Vikings re-enactment group website
- "The Magnanimous Enemy" (Jorge Luis BorgesJorge Luis BorgesJorge Francisco Isidoro Luis Borges Acevedo , known as Jorge Luis Borges , was an Argentine writer, essayist, poet and translator born in Buenos Aires. In 1914 his family moved to Switzerland where he attended school, receiving his baccalauréat from the Collège de Genève in 1918. The family...
, DreamtigersDreamtigersDreamtigers, first published in 1960 as El Hacedor , is a collection of poems, short essays, and literary sketches by the Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges. Divided fairly evenly between prose and verse, the collection examines the limitations of creativity. Borges regarded Dreamtigers as his most...
)