Magnus Haraldsson (son of Harald Gille)

Magnus Haraldsson (c. 1130 – 1145) was a Norwegian pretender to the throne. He was the illegitimate son of King Harald Gille of Norway and a woman named Tora Guttormsdotter.

Following Harald Gille's assassination in 1136, Magnus, along with Sigurd Haraldsson, another illegitimate son of Harald Gille, were both proclaimed kings. This led to the beginning of the Norwegian civil war era, a period of prolonged internal conflict fought over the Norwegian throne, fueled by unclear succession laws and rival claims.

Magnus's claim to the throne was primarily supported by his mother's kin, and he initially controlled a significant portion of the Viken area (around Oslofjord). However, his reign was short-lived. In 1142, Sigurd and his brothers, Inge Haraldsson and Øystein Haraldsson, all sons of Harald Gille, met and agreed to rule jointly. This effectively sidelined Magnus.

The conflicts among the brothers continued, and Magnus Haraldsson was killed in 1145 during a battle against Sigurd Haraldsson and Inge Haraldsson. His death marked the end of his brief claim to the Norwegian throne, but the wider civil war persisted for decades afterward. Magnus Haraldsson's reign is often seen as a minor episode within the larger, more complex narrative of the Norwegian civil war era.