Magnus of Orkney, St

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Magnus of Orkney, St (c.1075–1116), convert to Christianity and martyr; he was put to death by his cousin Haakon, co-earl of Orkney, accepting his violent death and praying for his killers. He was regarded as a martyr and became an important Scottish saint; he is said to have appeared promising victory to Robert Bruce on the night before Bannockburn. His emblem is an axe, and his feast day is 16 April.