Magnus Forteman (809) was the legendary first potestaat (or magistrate governor) and commander of

Frisia Frisia is a cross-border cultural region in Northwestern Europe. Stretching along the Wadden Sea, it encompasses the north of the Netherlands and parts of northwestern Germany. The region is traditionally inhabited by the Frisians, a West Ger ...

which is now part of Germany and the Netherlands. His existence is based on a sage's writings. According to one of these sagas, he was the first of the 17 potestates of Frisia in the period after the kings of Frisia, a period of Charlemagne until Albert of Saxony (800–1498). The saga relates that Magnus was the leader of the army of Frisians in the conquest of Rome. The eyes of

Pope Leo III Pope Leo III (died 12 June 816) was bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 26 December 795 to his death. Protected by Charlemagne from the supporters of his predecessor, Adrian I, Leo subsequently strengthened Charlemagne's position b ...

were pulled out and he was expelled from Rome by a group of nobles who did not accept his authority. With 700 "discerning" Frisians, Magnus reconquered Rome from these nobles. They entered Rome at night by a small port that had become visible through low water level in the Tiber. Through the

Flavian gardens Flavian may refer to: * A member of the Flavian dynasty of Roman emperors, during the late 1st century AD, or their works * Flavian Zeija, a Ugandan lawyer, academic and judge. Principal Judge of Uganda, since December 2019. * A person named Flavi ...

, they went to St. Peter's and when they were discovered there a battle ensued. Magnus flew his banner clearly visible on top of the church, creating confusion. There were no prisoners, and the Frisians were in

Saint Peter's Square Saint Peter's Square ( la, Forum Sancti Petri, it, Piazza San Pietro ,) is a large plaza located directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the papal enclave inside Rome, directly west of the neighborhood (rione) of Borgo. Bot ...

up to their ankles in blood. When asked by the emperor, Magnus requested no payment by way of nobility, but instead requested the right to freedom and free speech forever for all Frisians. Their courage was rewarded with the Karelsprivilege,

Friezenprivilege Karelsprivilege is a legendary privilege that Charlemagne allegedly paid to the Frisians led by Magnus Forteman to thank them for the support that was given to his attack on Rome. Since the 13th century, the Frisians regularly mentioned in legal an ...

, Vrijheidsprivilege,

libertas Frisonica Frisian freedom ( fy, Fryske frijheid; ; ) was the absence of feudalism and serfdom in Frisia, the area that was originally inhabited by the Frisians. Historical Frisia included the modern provinces of Friesland and Groningen, and the area of We ...

or Previlegii Frisiorum Caroli Magni. According to the legend, the Frisians elected Magnus, that is all Frisian freemen the born as well as the unborn, as long as the wind blows the clouds and the world lasts. Also Charles gave them a golden crown in the shield, and a half eagle in their coat of arms, as a token that they had received freedom from the Emperor. According to the legend, Magnus was the founder of

Church of Santi Michele e Magno Church may refer to: Religion * Church (building), a building for Christian religious activities * Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination * Church service, a formalized period of Christian communal worship * Chris ...

, the Friezenkerk in Rome. His father was said to be Gustavus Forteman who founded the first Christian church in 777 in Friesland, the Cathedral of Almenum. Also Gustavus Forteman is fictional. Magnus was killed fighting against the

Saracens file:Erhard Reuwich Sarazenen 1486.png, upright 1.5, Late 15th-century Germany in the Middle Ages, German woodcut depicting Saracens Saracen ( ) was a term used in the early centuries, both in Greek language, Greek and Latin writings, to refer ...

. Generally this story is considered as a myth and the Karelsprivilege as a forgery, although the acclaimed proviledge were confirmed by the Holy Roman Emperors William II (13th century) and Sigismund (15th century). Also Jancko Douwama mentions the conquest of Rome by Magnus, the risk and reward in the form of the Karelsprivilege in his "Book of the Parties" in 1525.

References

*M. Kist en H. Kist and H. Wind, ''Een man van eer, Bloemlezing uit Jancko Douwama's geschriften, Uitgeverij Verloren'', Hilversum, 2003 (''a man of honour, Anthology of Jancko Douwama's writings'') * Theun de Vries, ''Fryske Sêgen III, Leeuwarder Courant'' 15 January 1927, volume 3 (Enigszinds romantiseerd) *F. Binkes, ''Over eene volkplanting der Friesen in Zwitserland, beneevens eenige aanmerkingen over den tocht der Friesen naar Rome'', In: ''De Vrije Fries'', episode I (1839), blz. Binkes, Over eene volkplanting der Friesen in Switzerland, beneevens every criticisms over den der Friesen trip to Rome, In: The Free Frisian, I episode (1839), p. 1 t/m 63. 1 to 63. Also available digitall

*MP v. MP V. Buijtenen, ''De grondslag van de Friesche Vrijheid'' (Assen 1953) (16) Buijtenen, (''The basis of the Friesian Liberty'') (Assen 1953) (16) *T. van der Laars, ''Wapens, vlaggen en zegels van Nederland'' (''weapons, flags and seals in the Netherlands''), Amsterdam (1913), reprinted 1989, page 58 *K. v. V. Richthofen, ''Untersuchungen II'' (Berlin 1882), 147-315 Richthofen, *P. Sipma, ''Fon alra Fresena fridome'' (1947) {{DEFAULTSORT:Forteman, Magnus Potestaats of Friesland Frisian warriors