Eric II of Norway

Eirik Magnusson
Erik Magnusson
King of Norway
Co-reign
Solo-reign
1273-1280
1280–1299
Coronation 1280, Old cathedral of Bergen
Predecessor Magnus VI
Successor Haakon V
Senior King Magnus VI
Consort Margaret of Scotland
Isabel Bruce
Issue
Margaret, Maid of Norway
Ingeborg Eiriksdatter
House Fairhair
Father King Magnus VI the Lawmender of Norway (1238–1280)
Mother Ingeborg Eriksdatter
Born 1268
Died 15 July 1299(1299-07-15)
Bergen
Burial Old cathedral of Bergen
Religion Roman Cahtolicism

Norwegian Royalty
House of Sverre
Eric II
Children
   Margaret, Maid of Norway
   Ingeborg, Duchess of Finland

Eirik Magnusson (Old Norse: Eiríkr Magnússon) (1268 – 15 July 1299) was the King of Norway from 1273/80 until 1299.

 

 

 

 

Background

He was the eldest surviving son of King Magnus the Lawmender of Norway, and his wife Ingeborg Eriksdatter, daughter of King Eric IV of Denmark. Eric descended from St. Olav, King Olav II of Norway, being the first after Magnus the Good of that saint's descendants to ascend that throne (i.e, the descendants of St. Olav returned to kingship of Norway). He became junior king in 1273 and started ruling alone after 1280.

Eirik married princess Margaret of Scotland, daughter of King Alexander III of Scotland in 1281. Margaret died two years later in labour, giving birth to Margaret, Maid of Norway, who became queen of Scotland in 1286 until her death in 1290. Her death sparked off the disputed succession which led to the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Eirik later married Isabel Bruce, sister of King Robert I of Scotland. Their marriage did not produce a surviving male heir, though it did produce a daughter, Ingeborg Eriksdottir of Norway, who married Valdemar Magnusson of Sweden, Duke of Finland, in 1312. Ingeborg Eriksdotter was styled Duchess of Öland.

Reign

Arms heraldic of King Eirik Magnusson of Norway from 1298

Eirik received the nickname "Priest Hater" from his unsuccessful relations with the church. He is normally counted a weak and inoffensive man who was mostly guided by his councillors. Probably because of his claim on his maternal heritage he supported the Danish outlaw Stig Andersen Hvide, who ravaged the Danish coasts for some years after the regicide of King Erik V.

As Eirik died without sons, he was succeeded by his brother, Haakon V of Norway. He was buried in the old cathedral of Bergen, which was demolished in 1531. Its site is marked by a memorial, in present-day Bergenhus Fortress.

Ancestry

Eric II of Norway
Cadet branch of the Fairhair dynasty
Born: 1268 Died: 15 July 1299
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Magnus VI
King of Norway
1273–1299
with Magnus VI (1273-1280)
Succeeded by
Haakon V

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