- Olaf Magnusson of Norway
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Olaf Magnusson (1099–22 December 1115) was king of Norway 1103–1115. He was the son of King Magnus Barefoot and Sigrid, daughter of Sakse of Vik.[1]
Olaf became king together with his half-brothers Sigurd Jorsalfar and Øystein Magnusson when his father Magnus Barefoot died in 1103. He was king of Norway in twelve years, but did not like their brothers leave a lasting impression. Since he was still very young, his older brothers acted as regents for his part of the kingdom. In 1107, King Sigurd was to lead a Norwegian crusade in support to the newly established crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, returning to Norway in 1111. During this period, King Øystein served as regent for his brother, using his energy and willpower to create a strong and stable country.
In 1115, Olaf fell ill and died when he was only 17 years old. He was succeeded by his co-ruler brothers. His historical insignificance is shown by the fact that later historians, when constructing ordinals for Norwegian monarchs, left Olaf out from numbering - he would have been Olaf IV but that ordinal is used for Oluf Haakonsson who reigned over two and a half centuries later. Olav V of Norway (d. 1991), who clearly reigned using the official ordinal, would have been Olav VI, had this child co-king been numbered.
References
Ancestry
Ancestors of Olaf Magnusson of Norway16. Sigurd Syr Halfdansson, King of Ringeringe 8. Harald III of Norway 17. Åsta Gudbrandsdatter 4. Olaf III of Norway 18. Torberg Arnesson 9. Tora Torbergsdatter 19. Ragnhild Erlingsdatter 2. Magnus III of Norway 10. Johan or Árni lági 5. Thora 1. Olaf Magnusson of Norway 6. Saxe of Vik 3. Sigrid Saxesdatter Olaf MagnussonCadet branch of the Fairhair dynastyBorn: 1099 Died: 1115Regnal titles Preceded by
Magnus BarefootKing of Norway
1103–1115
with Sigurd Jorsalfar
Eystein MagnussonSucceeded by
Sigurd Jorsalfar
& Eystein MagnussonCategories:- Norwegian monarchs
- Fairhair dynasty
- Rulers who died as children
- Medieval child rulers
- 1099 births
- 1115 deaths
- Burials at Nidaros Cathedral
- Christians of the Norwegian Crusade
- Norwegian people stubs
- European royalty stubs
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