Norwegian Monarch. He reigned as king from September 1066 to April 1069, the last two years jointly with his brother, Olaf. He was born in Norway, the oldest son of King Harald III "Hardrada" Sigurdsson and his queen, Tora Torbergsdatter. Little is known of his life prior to him becoming king, which occurred after the defeat and death of his father at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in England by the Saxon King Harold Godwinson on September 25, 1066. Harald III had made him regent of Norway prior to his ill-fated departure, which resulted in his being crowned King of Norway. Harald's other son, Olaf, had accompanied his father to England and survived the battle, spending the winter of 1066-1067 in the Orkney Islands. When Olaf returned to Norway in 1067, he claimed his portion of the kingdom under Norwegian property laws, Magnus agreed to divide Norway, giving him the northern half of the kingdom while retaining the southern half. He died at Nidaros, Norway, from apparent ergotism (also known as Saint Anthony's Fire), a poisoning caused by a fungus that infects rye and other grains. After his death, his brother became king as Olaf III Kyrre.
Norwegian Monarch. He reigned as king from September 1066 to April 1069, the last two years jointly with his brother, Olaf. He was born in Norway, the oldest son of King Harald III "Hardrada" Sigurdsson and his queen, Tora Torbergsdatter. Little is known of his life prior to him becoming king, which occurred after the defeat and death of his father at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in England by the Saxon King Harold Godwinson on September 25, 1066. Harald III had made him regent of Norway prior to his ill-fated departure, which resulted in his being crowned King of Norway. Harald's other son, Olaf, had accompanied his father to England and survived the battle, spending the winter of 1066-1067 in the Orkney Islands. When Olaf returned to Norway in 1067, he claimed his portion of the kingdom under Norwegian property laws, Magnus agreed to divide Norway, giving him the northern half of the kingdom while retaining the southern half. He died at Nidaros, Norway, from apparent ergotism (also known as Saint Anthony's Fire), a poisoning caused by a fungus that infects rye and other grains. After his death, his brother became king as Olaf III Kyrre.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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