The Strangford Lough Brewing Company beer Barelegs Brew is named in honour of King Magnus Barelegs. Magnus reigned as King of Norway from 1093 until his death in 1103, when he was ambushed and killed by the Ulaid Men of Ulster. His campaigns led to warfare in Ireland, Britain and the Isle of Man.
Our Barelegs Brew label portrays an image of Magnus’ Viking ship emerging from the dawn mist of Strangford Lough. The orange glow represents dawn, the ideal time for Barelegs and his Vikings to raid the unexpecting shores of Strangford Lough.It is reputed that he is buried in Downpatrick.
The Vikings of Strangford Lough and Magnus Barelegs
The Beginning of BarelegsThe Viking dominance over the Strangford Lough area stretched over a 200 year period from the 9th to the 11th Century, when an incident of near international proportions occurred - when Magnus Barefoot, King of Norway (nicknamed ‘Barelegs’) was killed in battle near Downpatrick in the year 1103.
Magnus was born in 1073. He was described as being very tall with bright yellow hair and bright blue eyes. He became king on the death of his father, King Olaf The Peaceful, in 1093. His grandfather was Harald Hardrata, the Viking warrior king who died at the battle of Stamford Bridge while attempting to conquer England in 1066. Magnus reigned as King of Norway from 1093 to his untimely death in 1103. At first Magnus jointly ruled Norway with his cousin Hakon, however their joint reign was short and Hakon died only a year later, leaving Magnus sole ruler of Norway. Described as ambitious, his military campaigns were persued in Sweden, Wales, Scotland, and Isle of Man and along the eastern coastline of Ireland.
