The Heimskringla on Bishop Magne
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 22. Of The Cases Before The Thing.
- attestation: Bishop Magne, Queen Malmfrid, and other great personages interceded, and King Sigurd raised Hranason up, took him by the hand, and restored him to favor.
"Then came Bishop Magne and Queen Malmfrid, and many other great personages, and entreated forgiveness for Sigurd Hranason; and at their entreaty the king raised him up, took him by the hand, and placed him among his men"
Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 40. King Sigurd Marries Cecilia.
attestation: Bishop Magne confronted King Sigurd about the illegal marriage, forbidding it in the name of God, King Olaf, and Peter the apostle
"in the name of God, of the holy King Olaf, of Peter the apostle, and of the other saints, forbid thee this wickedness."
attestation: Bishop Magne stood straight as if offering his neck to the king's sword, ready to die for defending church law
"While he thus spoke he stood straight up, as if stretching out his neck to the blow, as if ready if the king chose to let the sword fall"
attestation: Bishop Magne declared it would be a good death to die for the honour of God and preventing what is not right
"what death could be better, or more desirable, than to leave life for the honour of God? or to die for the holy cause of Christianity and our own office, by preventing that which is not right?"
attestation: Bishop Magne was cheerful after the confrontation, laughing and greeting every child on his way home
"the bishop went to his house and home so cheerful and gay that he laughed, and saluted every child on his way, and was playing with his fingers"
attestation: Bishop Magne accused King Sigurd of betraying God's word, law, the holy church, and treating both the episcopal and royal offices with contempt
"How can it come into your mind, sire, to do such an act in our bishopric as to betray God's word and law, and the holy church? It surprises me that you treat with such contempt our episcopal office, and your own royal office."