Nikolas Skialdvarson
Nephew of Magnus Barefoot who proposed separating royal legitimacy from military competence.
Nikolas Skialdvarson was a nephew of Magnus Barefoot who played a diplomatic role in the selection of leadership. He suggested that "the king should be from the royal race" while "for leader of the troops, some one from whom help and understanding were to be looked for" -- hinting at Erling as the military leader (Heimskringla, Ch. 1).
The Heimskringla records a single but politically significant moment. Nikolas Skialdvarson's proposal separates kingship from military command -- the king provides legitimacy through royal blood, while the army leader provides competence (Heimskringla, Ch. 1). This pragmatic arrangement reflects the practical challenges of Norwegian succession politics.
On trail: Genealogies