Magnus Erlingsson, probably born in Etne in Hordaland, is the son of Erling Skakke, a Norwegian nobleman who earned his reputation crusading with Rögnvald Kali Kolsson, the Earl of Orkney.

His mother was Kristin Sigurdsdatter, daughter of king Sigurd Jorsalfare, who was king of Norway from 1103 to 1130.

Magnus Erlingsson, named king in 1161 at the age of eight, is the first Norwegian king to be crowned.

Since Magnus was a minor, his father Erling took the title of earl and held the real power and continues to be the country’s real ruler even after Magnus has come of age.

Sigurd Agnhatt and his foster son Olav Ugjæva had raised a force in Oppland in 1166 and had Olav proclaimed king, while earl Erling Skakke was away in Denmark.

Olav is the son of Maria Øysteinsdotter, the daughter of former king Øystein Magnusson.

After Erling returned to Norway to fight this uprising, Olav and his men had attacked Erling in an ambush at Rydjokul in Sørum.

Erling was wounded and barely escaped.

Olav and his men venture south in 1168 to the Oslofjord area, but are there defeated in battle at Stanger in Våler.

Sigurd is killed in the battle, but Olav escapes and goes to Denmark.