Eric II of Norway

Background

Eric was the eldest surviving son of King Magnus VI the Lawmender and Queen Ingeborg of Denmark. In 1273, he was designated king alongside his father, while his younger brother Haakon 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 at Bergen in the summer of 1280. During his minority, the kingdom was ruled by a royal council consisting of prominent barons and probably also his mother, Queen Ingeborg. After Eric came of age in 1282, this council is still thought to have exerted major influence over his reign.

Haakon, as duke, ruled a large area around Oslo in eastern Norway and Stavanger in the southwest, subordinate to King Eric. Eric's main residence was in Bergen in western Norway.

Marriages and issue

In 1281, Eric married Margaret of Scotland, daughter of King Alexander III of Scotland. Margaret died two years later in childbirth, giving birth to Margaret, 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 the disputed succession that led to the Wars of Scottish Independence. King Eric briefly and unsuccessfully laid claim to the Scottish crown as his daughter's heir.

Eric's second marriage, in 1293, was to Isabel Bruce, sister of Robert the Bruce. They had a daughter, Ingeborg, who later married Valdemar Magnusson, Duke of Finland.

Reign

A major feature of Eric's reign was the War of the Outlaws (De fredløses krig, 1287–1295) against Denmark, partly motivated by his claim to his mother's Danish inheritance. In 1287, he granted sanctuary in Norway to a group of Danish nobles, including Jacob Nielsen, Count of Halland and Stig Andersen Hvide, outlawed for the alleged murder of King Eric V. In 1289, Eric personally led a Norwegian fleet with the exiles, raiding Denmark, burning Elsinore and threatening Copenhagen. Further raids occurred in 1290 and 1293, but these campaigns had limited lasting effect. Peace was concluded in 1295.

Within Norway, the baronial council that governed during his minority continued to wield much of the power, limiting Eric's authority. He also maintained close links with Scotland through dynastic marriages and military ventures.

Death and succession

Eric died in Bergen in 1299 and was buried in the old Christ Church, Bergen. He left no surviving sons, and was succeeded by his brother Haakon. The site of the cathedral is now marked by a memorial stone at Bergenhus Fortress.

References

References

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3. (2000). "Eirik Magnusson". Kunnskapsforlaget.
4. Barrow, G. W. S.. (1988). "Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland". Edinburgh University Press.
5. Duncan, A. A. M.. (2002). "The Kingship of the Scots 842–1292: Succession and Independence". Edinburgh University Press.
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7. Brown, Michael. (2004). "The Wars of Scotland, 1214–1371". Edinburgh University Press.
8. "Eirik Magnusson".