Magnus the Good was king of Norway from 1035 and king of Denmark from 1042. The son of Olaf Haraldsson, he returned from exile after the fall of Cnut’s North Sea empire and secured rule with the support of Norwegian magnates. He fought for Denmark against Wendish forces and shared power uneasily with his uncle Harald Hardrada before dying in 1047.
Magnus inherited Denmark after the death of Harthacnut and defended the kingdom against Wendish attacks, winning an important victory at Lyrskov Hede in 1043. His claim was challenged by Sweyn Estridsson in Denmark and by the return of his uncle Harald Hardrada to Norway. Magnus eventually agreed to share Norwegian rule with Harald; when he died in 1047, Harald succeeded in Norway while Sweyn secured Denmark.
In Simon Turney’s Kings of Stone and Ice, at the harbour they find the stolen Sea Wolf and its famous thief, Harald Hardrada, preparing a challenge to King Magnus. Harald offers the band a place in his bid for the Norwegian throne, transforming personal revenge into dynastic war. Halfdan must decide whether alliance with the most ambitious warrior of the north will restore what he lost or subordinate the Wolves to another man’s legend.
