Magnus III Barelegs (1073-25 January 1103) was King of Norway from 6 June 1094 to 25 January 1103 (succeeding Haakon and preceding Olav Magnusson), Jarl of Orkneyar from 1098 to 25 January 1103 (succeeding Paul Thorfinnsson and preceding Haakon Paulsson), and King of Sudreyjar and Count of Mann from 1099 to 25 January 1103 (succeeding Godred Crovan and preceding Lagmann mac Gofraid). He was known as "the last Viking king" for his seaborne expeditions to the British Isles from 1098 to 1099 and in 1102-1103, and he was the last Norwegian king to fall in battle abroad.
Biography[]
Magnus Olavsson was born in Norway in 1073, the son of King Olaf III of Norway and the grandson of Harald Hardrada. He was proclaimed King of Norway in Viken on his father's death in 1093, but it was not until the death of the rival claimant Haakon Magnusson (his cousin) in 1094 that Magnus became the sole ruler. Disgruntled members of the nobility continued to dispute Magnus' rule, however, but he secured his position after a short period of continued internal strife. From 1098 to 1099, he embarked on the last major Viking expedition in history, raiding through Orkney, the Hebrides, and the Isle of Man and ensuring Norwegian control in a treaty with the Scottish king. He built several forts on his new base at the Isle of Man, and he then conquered Galloway from the Scots and Anglesey from Gwynedd and helped to repel the first Norman invasion of Wales. During his time in the British Isles, he gained the nickname "Barelegs" after adopting the Gaelic dress of the Irish and Scots. Magnus then returned to Scandinavia and invaded Vastergotland in Sweden, claiming an ancient border with the country. In 1101, he made peace with Sweden by marrying King Inge the Elder's daughter, and he gained Dalsland as part of her dowry. In 1102, he embarked on a final western campaign with the goal of conquering Ireland, taking Dublin and allying with King Muirchertach Ua Briain of Munster. However, he was killed in an ambush by Ulaid the next year as he foraged for supplies.