Biography
His nickname, Herdebrei, means broad-shouldered. An illegitimate son of Sigurd Munn, in 1157 he was named heir of his uncle Eystein II, who had been co-ruler of Norway with his brothers, Inge Haraldsson and Sigurd Munn. Following the death of his brothers, Inge had become the sole ruler of Norway.
The former supporters of Sigurd Munn and Eystein II united behind Haakon, renewing the fight against King Inge I. These supporters continued fight against forces under the leadership of Sigurd Håvardsson of Hedmark. On 3 February 1161, King Inge was defeated and killed, leading his men into battle against King Haakon near Oslo after many of his men led, by his vassal Godred II Olafsson, defected to King Haakon’s side.
On July 7, 1162, King Haakon was killed in the Battle of Sekken not far from the market town Veøya in Romsdalen. After Inge’s fall, his supporters had rallied behind the lendmann Erling Skakke and his son, Magnus Erlingsson. After his death, Haakon was succeeded as king of Norway by King Magnus V.
Read more about this topic: Haakon II Of Norway
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