St. Magnus Erlendsson

St. Magnus

        On the Orkney Islands in the 11th century, a good Catholic Viking is a rarity. However,

one such Viking is St. Magnus Erlendsson. He is brave beyond compare on many occasions. He

makes a multitude of sacrifices. He is consistently devoted to his country and to his friends no

matter the cost. In the biography St. Magnus, by Susan Peek, St. Magnus shows a great amount

of virtue.

        Magnus is brave beyond compare on many occasions. He rescues Grida, the one Aerling

loves, from Hakon alone and without a sword. He fights his brother Aerling, who is an incredible

warrior, to stop him from murdering his cousin Hakon out of revenge. He stays on the Orkney

Islands to be with his family even though it is dangerous there and Hakon will stop at absolutely

nothing to have him assassinated. Magnus has a great deal of courage.

        Magnus makes a multitude of sacrifices which he offers to God. He receives a severe

gash on the leg during the invasion of Norway into the Orkney Islands and offers up the pain. In

a battle for Aerling’s soul, he does not take the nutrition he needs to stay alive. He becomes

King Berrfott’s cupbearer, which is incredibly embarrassing for a prince, so that the king won’t

hurt his sister Gunnhild. Magnus makes sacrifices throughout the book.

        Magnus is consistently devoted to his country and to his friends no matter the cost. He

refuses to kill the Welsh when King Berrfott orders him to because his father has a treaty with

them. He returns to the Orkney Islands so that a usurper cannot take the crown. He allows