Magnus's young favourite courtier was Bengt Algotsson, whom he elevated to Duke of Finland and Halland, as well as Viceroy of the province of Scania. Because homosexuality was a mortal sin and vehemently scorned at that time, rumours about the king's alleged love relationship with Algotsson, and other erotic escapades, were spread by his enemies, particularly by some noblemen who referred to mystical visions of St. Bridget. Bridget and these allegations caused Magnus in posterity to be given the epithet of "Magnus smek (Magnus Caress)" and caused him a lot of harm, but there is no factual basis for them in historical sources. Another angle is that the epithet "Caress" had nothing to do with the allegations of homosexuality but was given because of his alleged foolishness and naivety, as "smek" at the time was an insult inferring such weakness.