King Magnus was ten years king of Norway (A.D. 1094-1105), and in his
days there was good peace kept within the country; but the people were
sorely oppressed with levies. King Magnus was beloved by his men, but
the bondes thought him harsh. The words have been transmitted from him
that he said when his friends observed that he proceeded incautiously
when he was on his expeditions abroad,--"The kings are made for honour,
not for long life." King Magnus was nearly thirty years of age when he
fell. Vidkun did not fly until he had killed the man who gave the king
his mortal wound, and for this cause King Magnus's sons had him in the
most affectionate regard.