Saint Magnus of Orkney

Stored in Cargo: Saint Magnus of Orkney

Saint Magnus of Orkney
Feast Day	April 16
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Orkney Islands
Birthplace	Orkney Islands, Kingdom of Norway (now Scotland)
Death Place	Egilsay Island, Orkney Islands, Kingdom of Norway (now Scotland)
Cause of Death	Murder (martyrdom)
Primary Shrine	St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland

Saint Magnus of Orkney (c. 1075 – 16 April 1115), also known as Magnus Erlendsson, was a Norwegian nobleman and Earl of Orkney who was murdered in a family feud, later venerated as a martyr for his piety and forgiveness. According to the Orkneyinga Saga and contemporary Latin accounts, Magnus, son of Earl Erlend Thorfinnsson, served as chamberlain to King Magnus III of Norway but refused to participate in raids, choosing prayer over violence, which led to his exile. Returning to claim his inheritance, he shared the earldom with his cousin Haakon Paulsson but was betrayed and killed on Egilsay Island during an Easter truce.

Canonized locally in the 12th century by Bishop William of Orkney after reported miracles at his tomb, Magnus exemplifies Christian forbearance in Viking society. His relics, including a skull reliquary dated to his era, rest in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, a UNESCO site on the Way of St. James. Feast day 16 April (Mansemass in Orkney), he is patron of the Orkney Islands, with veneration blending Catholic, Anglican, and Orkney traditions, though his martyrdom status is debated as political rather than religious.

Biography

Birth

Saint Magnus Erlendsson was born around 1075 in the Orkney Islands, then under Norwegian sovereignty, as the son of Earl Erlend Thorfinnsson and Thora. Exact birthplace unconfirmed, likely near Kirkwall; hagiographic tradition emphasizes noble Norse heritage tied to King Harald Hardrada's 1066 invasion. Probabilistic inferences from sagas suggest upbringing in a warrior aristocracy blending pagan remnants with emerging Christianity.

His early life involved courtly education, fostering piety amid Viking raids.

Early Life

Magnus grew up in Orkney's earldom, divided between his father Erlend and uncle Paul after their grandfather's death. In 1098, King Magnus III Barelegs deposed Erlend, taking Magnus as chamberlain during Norwegian campaigns, including the Battle of Anglesey Sound (1098), where he refused to fight, singing Psalms aboard ship, earning disgrace and refuge in Scotland.

Verified by the Orkneyinga Saga, this pacifism marked his Christian devotion in a martial culture.

Occupation

As earl and courtier, Magnus's occupation involved governance and diplomacy in Orkney's Norse realm. He administered estates, mediated disputes, and promoted peace, contrasting Viking norms. Historical evidence from sagas confirms his role in inheritance claims against cousin Haakon.

His "work" centered on just rule, aligning with emerging feudal Christianity.

Vocation

Magnus's vocation as a pious layman emerged through refusal of violence, viewing earldom as stewardship for God's kingdom. In 1105, he appealed to King Eystein I of Norway for inheritance; granted joint earldom with Haakon in 1114, agreeing to Egilsay meeting for reconciliation. Betrayed by Haakon's eight ships, he sought sanctuary in the church, praying forgiveness for his killers before execution.

This Christ-like endurance defines his martyr's calling, per sagas.

Death

On Easter Monday 1115, Magnus was dragged from Egilsay's church, offered exile, but slain by Haakon's cook's axe to the head when no noble would act. Hastily buried on-site, his body was later moved to Birsay's Christchurch by his mother.

Saint Magnus met his end by martyrdom. Relics translated to Kirkwall Cathedral; skull reliquary confirmed contemporary (1034–1168 AD).

Significant events

• Born to Earl Erlend Thorfinnsson (c. 1075).
• Served King Magnus III as chamberlain; refused raid at Anglesey Sound (1098).
• Deposed with father by King Magnus III (1098).
• Appealed to King Eystein I for inheritance (1105).
• Granted joint earldom with Haakon (1114).
• Betrayed and murdered on Egilsay (16 April 1115).
• Body translated to Birsay; church built on Egilsay (c. 1135).
• Relics to Kirkwall Cathedral; skull found (1919).

Significant locations

Loading map...

{"minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"mappingservice":"leaflet","width":"600px","height":"400px","centre":false,"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[],"polygons":[],"circles":[],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"zoom":3,"defzoom":14,"layers":["OpenStreetMap"],"image layers":[],"overlays":[],"resizable":false,"fullscreen":false,"scrollwheelzoom":true,"cluster":false,"clustermaxzoom":20,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clustermaxradius":80,"clusterspiderfy":true,"geojson":"","clicktarget":"","imageLayers":[],"locations":[{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBirth location: Orkney Islands, Kingdom of Norway (now Scotland)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Birth location: Orkney Islands, Kingdom of Norway (now Scotland)\n","link":"","lat":58.985,"lon":-2.9594,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeath location: Egilsay Island, Orkney Islands, Kingdom of Norway (now Scotland)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Death location: Egilsay Island, Orkney Islands, Kingdom of Norway (now Scotland)\n","link":"","lat":59.0833,"lon":-2.9333,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrimary shrine and relics (St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall KW15 1NX, United Kingdom)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Primary shrine and relics (St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall KW15 1NX, United Kingdom)\n","link":"","lat":58.985,"lon":-2.9594,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMartyrdom site and church (St Magnus Church (ruins), Egilsay, Orkney KW17 2QD, United Kingdom)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Martyrdom site and church (St Magnus Church (ruins), Egilsay, Orkney KW17 2QD, United Kingdom)\n","link":"","lat":59.0833,"lon":-2.9333,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInitial burial site (Christ\u0026amp;#039\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Initial burial site (Christ\u0026amp;#039\n","link":"","lat":59.075,"lon":-3.3417,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEarly veneration chapel (St Magnus Church, Tingwall, Orkney KW16 3TG, United Kingdom)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Early veneration chapel (St Magnus Church, Tingwall, Orkney KW16 3TG, United Kingdom)\n","link":"","lat":58.9833,"lon":-3,"icon":""}],"imageoverlays":null}

Legend

• Birth location: Orkney Islands, Kingdom of Norway (now Scotland)
• Death location: Egilsay Island, Orkney Islands, Kingdom of Norway (now Scotland)
• Notable location: Primary shrine and relics (St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall KW15 1NX, United Kingdom)
• Notable location: Martyrdom site and church (St Magnus Church (ruins), Egilsay, Orkney KW17 2QD, United Kingdom)
• Notable location: Initial burial site (Christ's Church (ruins), Birsay, Orkney KW14 2NL, United Kingdom)
• Notable location: Early veneration chapel (St Magnus Church, Tingwall, Orkney KW16 3TG, United Kingdom)
• Notable location:

Dynamic content

Parishes

Saint Magnus of Orkney
No results
This map created from a Cargo query ()

Media

This will pull from Saint media.

Shrines

Dynamic shrines

This will pull in related Shrines.

List of shrines

St. Magnus Cathedral

• Norman cathedral begun 1137 by Earl Rognvald, enshrining Magnus's relics including a contemporary skull reliquary (1034–1168 AD), designated under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage basilica by the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles for martyr veneration, offering Masses, tours, and April 16 feasts with processions.
• Pilgrimage details: Kirkwall KW15 1NX, United Kingdom; founded 1137; features Viking carvings, plenary indulgences on feast; Diocese of Argyll and the Isles.
• Facts: "UNESCO site on St. James Way; 1919 excavation confirmed relics."

St. Magnus Church Ruins, Egilsay

• 12th-century church built on martyrdom site by Earl Rognvald, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a historic pilgrimage spot for reconciliation devotions, with annual Easter commemorations.
• Pilgrimage details: Egilsay, Orkney KW17 2QD, United Kingdom; founded c. 1135; site visits; Diocese of Argyll and the Isles.
• Facts: "Where Magnus prayed forgiveness; legendary greening of grave."

Christchurch Ruins, Birsay

• Initial burial site, designated a heritage shrine for early cult reflection under Canon 1230, linked to Magnus's translation.
• Pilgrimage details: Birsay, Orkney KW14 2NL, United Kingdom; 11th century ruins; commemorative prayers; Diocese of Argyll and the Isles.
• Facts: "Mother Thora interred him here; precursor to Kirkwall shrine."

St. Magnus Church, Tingwall

• Medieval parish church with local veneration, qualifying under Canon 1230 for Tingwall devotions tied to earldom history.
• Pilgrimage details: Tingwall, Orkney KW16 3TG, United Kingdom; 12th century; feast services; Diocese of Argyll and the Isles.
• Facts: "Near assembly site; honors Magnus's just rule."

Canonization

Servant of God

Not applicable; venerated as martyr post-1115.

Venerable

Not applicable.

Beatification

No formal; cult authorized by Bishop William (12th century).

Canonization

Canonized locally in 12th century by Bishop William of Orkney, adopted universally by Church.

Miracles

Hagiographic accounts attribute miracles to Magnus's sanctity, verified by sagas and bishop's authorization; posthumous healings at tombs. Debate on martyrdom status, but cult persists.

Miracle for beatification

Not applicable.

Miracle for canonization

Not applicable.

Other notable miracles

• Bishop William blinded for doubting miracles, healed after tomb prayer (12th century).
• Rocky grave greening into fertile field (legendary).

Patronage

Saint Magnus of Orkney is the patron saint of the Orkney Islands.

Feast day

April 16

Veneration

Saint Magnus is venerated through Orkney's Mansemass festivals, relic processions, and pilgrimages to Kirkwall. Relics at St. Magnus Cathedral. Depicted praying or with axe in sagas-inspired art. Literature: Orkneyinga Saga; media: Orkney festivals. Shrines influence St. James pilgrims and Viking-Christian reconciliation.

Books

Written about the saint

• Anonymous (1981). The Orkneyinga Saga. Penguin Classics. https://www.amazon.com/Orkneyinga-Saga-Translation-Introduction-Commentary/dp/0140442025. 
• Peter Marshall (2015). Saint Magnus of Orkney: A Viking Martyr. Orkney Heritage. https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Magnus-Orkney-Viking-Martyr/dp/B0C5J4Z3Q2. 

Written by the saint

No writings attributed to Saint Magnus of Orkney.

External links

• AnaStpaul: Saint Magnus of Orkney
• Undiscovered Scotland: Saint Magnus
• Catholic Online: St. Magnus
• Archaeology Orkney: St. Magnus Reliquary