born 1316, Norway
died Dec. 1, 1374, Sweden
King of Sweden (1319–63, as Magnus II) and Norway (1319–55, as Magnus VII).
Grandson of Norway's Haakon V and nephew of the Swedish king, Magnus became ruler of both countries. Since he spent almost all his time in Sweden, Norwegian nobles arranged for his son Haakon's succession, and Magnus abdicated in 1355. He antagonized many Swedish nobles, raising taxes and curbing the economic power of the church and nobility. In 1356 he was forced to cede half his Swedish kingdom to his son Erik, and he began making concessions to the nobility. When he renewed his efforts to control the Swedish nobles, they deposed him.