11 Facts About Magnus VI

Magnus VI was the first Norwegian monarch known to have used an ordinal number, although originally counting himself as "IV".

Magnus VI was the youngest son of King Hakon Hakonsson and his wife Margaret Skulesdatter.

Magnus VI's father gave him the title of king the same year.

Magnus VI' rule brought about a change from the somewhat aggressive foreign policy of his father.

In internal politics, Magnus VI carried out a great effort to modernise the law-code, which gave him his epithet law-mender.

Magnus VI's code introduced the concept that crime is an offense against the state rather than against the individual and thus narrowed the possibilities of personal vengeance.

In 1273 Magnus VI gave his eldest son, five-year-old Eric, the title of king, and his younger brother Hakon the title of duke, thus making it unequivocally clear who would be his heir.

In cultural terms Magnus VI continued his father's policy of introducing European courtly culture to Norway.

Magnus VI is probably the first Norwegian king to have named himself using an ordinal number - he called himself "Magnus VI IV".

Magnus VI was remembered as a good ruler, who ruled by law rather than by the sword.

Magnus VI was buried in the church of the Franciscan monastery in Bergen, which has since the 16th century been the Bergen Cathedral.