| Eric II Magnusson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Contemporary bust from theStavanger Cathedral, dated to the 1280s.[1] | |
| King of Norway | |
| Reign | 9 May 1280 – 15 July 1299 |
| Coronation | 2 July 1280 |
| Predecessor | Magnus VI |
| Successor | Haakon V |
| Born | 1268 (1268) |
| Died | July 15, 1299(1299-07-15) (aged 30–31) Bergen, Norway |
| Burial | |
| Spouses | |
| Issue | |
| House | Sverre |
| Father | Magnus VI of Norway |
| Mother | Ingeborg of Denmark |
Eric Magnusson (1268 – 15 July 1299) (Old Norse:Eiríkr Magnússon;Modern Norwegian:Eirik Magnusson) wasking of Norway from 1280 until 1299.[2]
Eric was the eldest surviving son of KingMagnus VI the Lawmender and QueenIngeborg of Denmark. In 1273, he was designated king alongside his father, while his younger brotherHaakon was given the title of duke.
King Magnus planned to hold a coronation for Eric as subordinate co-ruler in the summer of 1280. However, Magnus died before this could be arranged, and Eric became sole king and was crowned atBergen in the summer of 1280.[3] During his minority, the kingdom was ruled by a royal council consisting of prominentbarons and probably also his mother, Queen Ingeborg.[2] After Eric came of age in 1282, this council is still thought to have exerted major influence over his reign.[3]
Haakon, as duke, ruled a large area aroundOslo in eastern Norway andStavanger in the southwest, subordinate to King Eric. Eric's main residence was in Bergen in western Norway.[3]
In 1281, Eric marriedMargaret of Scotland, daughter of KingAlexander III of Scotland. Margaret died two years later in childbirth, giving birth toMargaret, Maid of Norway, who was recognised as heir to the Scottish throne. The young queen died in 1290 while travelling to Scotland, and her death sparked thedisputed succession that led to theWars of Scottish Independence.[4] King Eric briefly and unsuccessfully laid claim to the Scottish crown as his daughter's heir.[3]
Eric's second marriage, in 1293, was toIsabel Bruce, sister ofRobert the Bruce. They had a daughter,Ingeborg, who later marriedValdemar Magnusson, Duke of Finland.[5]
A major feature of Eric's reign was theWar of the Outlaws (De fredløses krig, 1287–1295) againstDenmark, partly motivated by his claim to his mother's Danish inheritance. In 1287, he granted sanctuary in Norway to a group of Danish nobles, includingJacob Nielsen, Count of Halland andStig Andersen Hvide, outlawed for the alleged murder of KingEric V. In 1289, Eric personally led a Norwegian fleet with the exiles, raiding Denmark, burningElsinore and threateningCopenhagen. Further raids occurred in 1290 and 1293, but these campaigns had limited lasting effect. Peace was concluded in 1295.[6]
Within Norway, the baronial council that governed during his minority continued to wield much of the power, limiting Eric's authority.[2] He also maintained close links with Scotland through dynastic marriages and military ventures.[7]
Eric died in Bergen in 1299 and was buried in the oldChrist Church, Bergen.[2] He left no surviving sons, and was succeeded by his brother Haakon. The site of the cathedral is now marked by a memorial stone atBergenhus Fortress.[8]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)Eric II of Norway Cadet branch of theFairhair dynasty Born: 1268 Died: 15 July 1299 | ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byas sole king | King of Norway 1273–1299 withMagnus VI (1273-1280) | Succeeded by |
