(1316–1374), was a king of Sweden, Norway and Skaane. He commissioned an Icelandic judge, Paul Knudsen, to lead an expedition to Greenland in 1354:
Magnus, by the grace of God, King of Norway, Sweden and Skaane, sends to all men who see or hear this letter good health and happiness.
We desire to make known to you that you [Paul Knudsen] is to take the men who shall do in the knarr [royal vessel]; whether they be named or not named,..from my bodyguard, and also from among the retainers of other men, whom you may wish to take on the voyage who are best qualified to accompany him, whether as officers or men.
We ask that you accept this our command with a right good will for the cause, inasmuch as we do it for the honor of God, and for the sake of our soul, and for the sake of our predecessors who in Greenland established Christianity and have maintained it until this time, and we will not let it perish in our days.
Know this for truth, that whoever defies this our command shall meet with our serious displeasure and receive full punishment.
Executed in Bergen, Monday after Simon and Judah’s Day in the six and thirtieth year of our rule [1354]. By Orm Ostenson, our regent, sealed.9