Haakon VI of Norway
King of Norway and King of Sweden
Years: 1340 - 1380
Haakon Magnusson (1340–1380) is King of Norway (as Haakon VI) from 1343 until his death and King of Sweden between 1362 and 1364.
He is sometimes known as Haakon Magnusson the Younger to distinguish him from his great-grandfather, Haakon V (reigned 1299–1319).
Haakon is the younger son of Magnus Eriksson, king of both Norway and Sweden.
His older brother Eric was meant to succeed their father on the throne of Sweden, while Haakon was made king of Norway in his father's lifetime.
Magnus greatly favors Haakon over Eric, leading to the latter's rebellion and seizure of Southern Sweden.
Eric dies in 1359, and Haakon becomes co-ruler of Sweden with his father three years later.
The two reign over Sweden together until 1364, when they are deposed in favor of Magnus' sororal nephew, Albert of Mecklenburg, by a clique of exiled Swedish noblemen led by Bo Jonsson Grip.
Magnus and Haakon try to retake the Swedish throne, but without success.
In 1363, Haakon marries Margaret, daughter of Valdemar IV of Denmark.
The marriage, itself a significant element in the Nordic power struggle, results n the birth of one son, Olaf.
Haakon's continuous conflicts with his father-in-law end only with the latter's death in 1375.
Haakon seizes the opportunity to have his son elected Valdemar's successor, defeating the claims of his and his wife's Mecklenburg relatives.
Upon his death in 1380, Haakon is succeeded by Olaf, with Margaret as regent.
Olaf dies childless seven years later, and Haakon's widow proceeds to assert authority over all three Scandinavian kingdoms as their first female monarch.
