Magnus

(d. 1116)

   Saint and Martyr.

   Magnus was the Earl of Orkney, Scotland. After a short career as a pirate, he was converted to Christianity. Captured by the King of Norway, he escaped to the court of King Malcolm III of Scotland. There he led a life of penance and austerity. Eventually he returned to rule Orkney, but was killed by his cousin Haakon. He died heroically, praying for his enemies. Although he was executed for political reasons, he was regarded as a martyr and became an important Scottish saint. In particular, he is said to have appeared in 1314 in a vision to Robert Bruce, promising him victory in the Battle of Bannockburn.

   D.H. Farmer (ed.), The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, 3^rd edn (1992);

   J. Mooney, St Magnus, Earl of Orkney (1935).