 Magnus was proclaimed king in 1035 at 11 years of age while Svein, the pretender to the Norwegian throne as son of Canute the Great of Denmark and Queen Elfgifu of Mercia, fled; Svein died shortly after.At first Magnus sought revenge against his father's enemies, but on Sigvatr's advice he stopped doing so, which is why he became known as "good" or "noble".Another son of Cnut, Harthacnut, was on the throne of Denmark and wanted his country to reunite with Norway, while Magnus initiated a campaign against Denmark around 1040.