Magnus was only eleven years old when he was proclaimed king at the Oere-Thing. In the beginning he allowed Kalf Arneson and Einar Thambaskelfer to take care of all government matters in his name; but he soon developed into a clever, intelligent young man with a great deal of independence. Hardeknut, who was then king of Denmark, was inclined to press his claims to Norway, which he had inherited from his father, Canute the Great, and collected an army. King Magnus also armed himself, and they were about to meet in battle at the Gaut River. However, the chiefs on both sides, who very much desired to avoid war, made overtures for peace, and the result was a friendly meeting between the kings at the Brenn Islands at the mouth of the Gaut River. They arranged for a brotherly union, under oath, to keep the peace with each other to the end of their lives; and if one of them should die without leaving a son, the survivor should succeed to both countries. Twelve of the principal men in each kingdom swore to the kings that this treaty should be observed. After the conciliation at the Brenn Islands Magnus was in undisputed possession of his father's throne. During his stay in the southern part of the country he had come in contact with his father's former friends and faithful adherents, who had a great deal to say about the actions of the Throndhjem people toward King Olaf. Magnus listened with great eagerness to this talk, and, before he really understood it, he had become possessed of a bitter feeling against those men who had been his father's opponents. He especially began to dislike Kalf Arneson, who, according to common belief, had dealt King Olaf the last deadly blow at Stiklestad. One day the king was at a feast at the Haug estate in Verdalen. At the table he said to Einar Thambaskelfer: "Let us ride to-day over to Stiklestad. I wish to see the different reminders of the battle." Einar replied: "Well, I know little about how matters went there; but take Kalf with thee: he can give thee information about all that took place." When the tables were removed, the king made himself ready, and said to Kalf: "Thou must go with me to Stiklestad." After repeating this command the king went out. Kalf put on his riding clothes in all haste, and said to his foot-boy: "Ride immediately to Eggja, and order my house-servants to have all my property on board my ship before sunset." The king and Kalf now rode over to Stiklestad. They alighted from their horses, and went to the place where the battle had been. "Where did the king fall?" asked Magnus. Kalf pointed with his spear, and said: "There he lay when he fell." The king further asked: "And where wast thou then, Kalf?" "Here, where I am now standing," answered Kalf. The king turned red as blood in the face, and said: "Then thy axe could well have reached him."