Ruardri King of Moray
Ruardri King of Moray the Father of King MacBeth MacBeatha MacFinley
Also See: MacBeth King of Scotland and the Clan Finley for complete history and research.
The identity of Raudri King of Moray / Findláech mac Ruadrí / Macruaidhri Thane- Máel Coluim of Moray (or Máel Coluim mac Máil Brigti) was King or Mormaer of Moray has been the subject of historic argument for centuries. This research is to look at all documentation and historic sources that may help in correctly identifying the parentage and ancestry of Raudri and his lineage.
As per my research the lineage for Ruadri goes as follows:
Generation 1 - Ruadri King of Moray or Findláech mac Ruadrí or Macruaidhri Thane
Notes from "The Royal House of Moray" -
Sometime in the century after the reign of Kenneth, the branch of the Tribe of Loarn headed by Ruadri moved into the province of Moray. Moray is the land south of the Moray Firth, around the present-day town of Elgin. The leader of the Moraymen was called a mormaer, which is a Celtic title equivalent to the Anglo-Scandinavian earl, which we use today.
The descent of the MacKays through the mormaers of Moray begins as follows: Ruadri was the son of Aircellach, king of Dalriada; this Ruadri had a son Cathmail, who had a son Donald, who had a son Morgan, who had a son Donald, who had a son Ruadri. 5
This latter Ruadri had three sons: Findlaech, Maelbrigte, and Donald. It is Donald who is believed to be the male ancestor of what was to become the Clan MacKay. The only evidence concerning Donald which we have is an addition to the mediæval Book of Deer. In it, we find written the following: "Donald, Ruadri's son, and Malcolm, Culen's son, gave Biffie to God and to Drostan." 6 What this means is that Donald gave title to land over to the Abbey of Deer, along with the younger son of Culen, the King of Scots from 967 to 971. This incident is referred to in Burke's Guide to the Royal Family, where the author notes "Malcolm, co-benefactor with Donald MacRuadri of Moray of the Abbey of Deer ca [around] 1000.
RUAIDHRI . Mormaer of Moray
m ---. The name of Ruaidhri´s wife is not known.
Ruadhri & his wife had two children:
1. FINDLAECH MacRory (-[1018/20]). Thane of Angus, Mormaer of Moray.
Orkneyinga Saga records that Sigurd Jarl of Orkney defeated “a Scottish earl called Finnleik”[478]. The Annals of Tigernach record that “Findlaech mac Ruaidhrí mormaer Moreb” was killed “a filiis fratris sui MaelBrighdi” in [1018/20][479]. The Annals of Ulster record the death in 1020 of "Finnlaech son of Ruadrí king of Alba…killed by his own people"[480]. m ---. The name of Findlaech´s wife is not known. Many secondary sources name the wife of Findlaech as Donada of Scotland, daughter of Malcolm II King of Scotland & his wife ---, adding that she was the mother of King Macbeth. It seems that the proof for this connection is slim. The only source so far identified which refers to Macbeth´s maternal origin is the Chronicle of Huntingdon which names "Maket Regem [=King Macbeth] nepotem dicti Malcolmi" when recording that he was expelled from Scotland after ruling 15 years[481]. The word "nepos" is of course treacherous, and could indicate a variety of relationships in addition to grandson. However, it appears that early historians assumed that "grandson" was the correct translation. For example, Ralph Holinshed´s 1577 Chronicle of Scotland names "Doada" as second daughter of Malcolm II King of Scotland and adds that she married "Sinell the thane of Glammis, by whom she had issue one Makbeth"[482]. Another variation is provided by the Cronykil of Andrew of Wyntoun, which records that "Makbeth-Fynlak, his systyr sowne" murdered King Duncan[483]. From a chronological point of view, it is unlikely that Macbeth could have been a nephew of King Duncan, but it is possible that the passage represents an interpretation of "nepos" from an earlier source and has confused the king with whom Macbeth enjoyed this relationship. No source earlier than Holinshed has been found which names her Donada. Mormaer Findlaech & had one child:
a) MACBETH ([1005]-killed in battle Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire 15 Aug 1057, bur Isle of Iona). The 12th century Cronica Regum Scottorum lists "…Macheth filius Findleg xvii…" as king[484]. The Annals of Tigernach names “Mac bethadh son of Findlaech overking of Scotland” when recording his death[485]. Mormaer of Moray [1029/32]. He succeeded in 1040 as MACBETH King of Scotland. He was defeated in battle 27 Jul 1054 by the army of Siward Earl of Northumbria who had invaded Scotland to support the claim to the throne of Malcolm son of King Duncan I. The Annals of Ulster record that "Mac Bethad son of Finnlaech, over-king of Scotland was killed by Mael Sechlainn son of Donnchad in battle" in 1058[486]. m ([after 1032]) [as her second husband,] GRUOCH, [widow of GILLACOMGAIN Mormaer of Moray,] daughter of BOITE [Bodhe] of Scotland & his wife --- ([1015]-). "Machbet filius Finlach…et Gruoch filia Bodhe, rex et regina Scottorum" made grants to the church of St Serf, although the document also names "Malcolmus Rex filius Duncani" which casts doubt on its authenticity[487]. Her possible first marriage appears to be based on the following logic. The Continuation of the Synchronisms of Flann Mainistreach records Lulach as son of Macbeth[488]. The Annals of Ulster record that "Lulach son of Gilla Comgain, over-king of Scotland was killed in battle by Mael Coluim son of Donnchad" in 1058[489]. Dunbar, basing his argument on this and the other sources which are quoted in this section, states that "from the above it seems most probable that Lulach was son of Gillacomgan and step-son of Macbeth"[490]. In addition, the 12th century Cronica Regum Scottorum lists "Lulac nepos filii Boide" ["nephew of the son of Boite"] as successor of King Macbeth[491]. However, there does not appear to be a surviving source which more specifically confirms that Macbeth´s queen was the widow of Gillacomgain and mother of Lulach.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Gregor
2. MAELBRIGTE . The Annals of Tigernach record that “Findlaech mac Ruaidhrí mormaer Moreb” was killed “a filiis fratris sui MaelBrighdi” in [1018/20][492]. m ---. The name of Maelbrigte´s wife is not known. Maelbrigte & his wife had two children:
http://hal_macgregor.tripod.com/gregor/pictclanns.htm
[According to tradition]: MacBethad, son of Findláech, son of Ruadrí, son of Domnall, son of Morggán, son of Cathamal, son of Ruadrí, son of Ailgelach, son of Uraad, son of Uurgus, son of Nehhtonn, son of Colmán, son of Báetán, son of Eochaid, son of Muiredach, son of Loarn, son of Erb, son of Eochaid Muinremuir. MacBeth (1005-1057), Mormaer of Moray, married Gruoch, daughter of Boedhe, who was the son of Kenneth III. So MacBeth, who had ancestral roots in Moray, was the grandson of King Malcolm II, and his wife was the granddaughter of King Kenneth III.
Under the ancient law of the Picts, he had as much claim to the throne of Scotland as did King Duncan I. He was commander for Duncan I, whom he defeated and slew, thereby becoming king. MacBeth was proclaimed king, and Scotland prospered during his reign. He was later defeated by Malcolm, the son of Duncan. Malcolm had gone to England to raise funds and an army to bring about MacBeth's downfall. His debt to the English would have disastrous effects on Scotland for years to come.
It is a generally held opinion by Scottish historians that if MacBeth had not been killed by the future King Malcolm III, Scotland would probably have remained a separate nation until this day and might have conquered England. Records show that he used his power for the good of his country. His reign verifies that Picts actually ruled Albann after Kenneth MacAlpin.
In Angus, 'MacBeths' received a charter from David II in 1369, but this family was of the ancestral line of the Fife Bethunes, who anciently held lands in the area. The later history of the MacBeths, the Highland Beatons and Bethunes has become hopelessly confused for, in the various lands with which they are associated, both forms were used, often referring to the same family, sometimes even to the same person. Others duly removed to the shires of Inverness, Sutherland & Easter Ross and the name was also found in Moray where they had association with the Macbeans.
The name of this clan will always have overtones of Shakespeare's tragic Scottish king. The real MacBeth ruled 1040 to 1057,and had little in common with the villainous figure portrayed in he play. He had a valid claim to the throne and slew his rival on he battlefield, not in the bed chamber. He ruled wisely and generously, finding time to make a pilgrimage to Rome, where he scattered money among the poor like seed. He did in fact die in battle, at Lumphanan - not when Birnam Wood moved to Dunsinane as Shakespeare wrote.
The MacBeths of Moray were the principle branch of the clan, while the Bethunes and Beatons were secondary. The king was christened with 'MacBeth' (anglicized) as his Christian name, as surnames were not mandatory at that time. Mac Beatha means son of life in Gaelic, so the official Scottish version at the time would have been MacBeathad mac Findláich. MacBeth was the last Celtic Ruler of Albann/Scotland. After him, a series of anti-Celtic programs were initiated to forcibly transplant Northern Picts to Welsh speaking areas of Scotland.
Upon MacBeth's death, the name of his beloved Albann was changed to 'Scotland' as the title of Monarch was changed from the P-Celtic 'Ri Albainn' to the Latin 'Rex Scotorum'.
Generation 2 - Cuiléain mac Iduilb or Indulf Another name for Indulf is Idulb mac Causantín
(Scottish : Idulb mac Causantín) was king of Scotland from 954 until 962, although there is no record of his coronation, if there ever was one. He was son of King Constantine II, second cousin of the previous king Malcolm I, and second cousin first removed of his successor Dubh.
The name Idulb is a Gaelicisation of either the Old Norse name Hildulfr or the Anglo-Saxon name Eadulf. Idulb later became rendered Indulf under French influence.
During his reign, a rebirth of Danish invasions began. These visits, which were growing more familiar but not more welcome, came to brace the patriotism of the nation when in danger of becoming relaxed. The Norsemen crossed the sea in a fleet of fifty ships. They ravaged the southern shores of England. Intent, however on gathering more booty before returning to their own country, they sailed northward and entered the Firth of Forth . Their appearance spread terror along both shores of the Firth. The timid left their houses and fled. The courageous hastened to the beach, and mustered in such force that the Danes deemed it prudent to withdraw. Dropping down the Firth past the Isle of May, their galleys crept round the "neuk" of Fife and entered the Firth of Tay. Again a phalanx of determined combatants lined the shores of the river and the invaders saw that there was no safe landing place. They sailed away, and coasting along the shores of Angus and Mearns, they arrived off Buchan, searching all the way for an unguarded creek or bay into which they might run their galleys and let loose their ravaging hordes like a flock of vultures upon the land. The coast bristled with defenders ready to grapple with the foe should he dare to land and throw him back into the waves. The invaders put their helms about and bore away to the Danish shore. It was a feint. After vanishing in the blue, they suddenly reappeared. Finding the coast unguarded, they landed unopposed in Banffshire near Cullen. Brief time was given them to pillage and slay. Indulf soon came up with them and the two armies were installed in combat. The Danes were worsted and driven to their ships and hoisting sail, this time in earnest, they made off to their own country.
Indulf left one lasting contribution. His father, Constantine II, fleeing before Athelstan, had abandoned the Lothian, and with the Lothians a city destined one day to be the capital of Scotland, to the English. In a decisive victory over Edwin of Deira, Indulf recaptured the fortress in Edinburgh, Dun Eden.
Indulf married at some point in his life, but the details are scanty. The date and place of the marriage are unrecorded, and the name of his wife is similarly unknown. He had three sons, all of whom later died violently in separate engagements.
Like his father before him, Indulf at least intended to abdicate and become a monk. Conflicting accounts state that he was killed by invading Vikings in 962 at the Battle of the Bauds in Findochty, Banffshire. It is unclear whether at the time he was still king or if he had already abdicated.
His son, Culen, later became king in 966.
Generation 3 - Causantín mac Áeda
Constantine II (Causantín mac Áeda) ( 874 ?- 952) was king of Scotland from 900 to 943. He was the son of King Aedh, first cousin of the previous King Donald II, and first cousin once removed of his successor Malcolm I, to whom he left his kingdom upon abdicating and becoming a monk. Constantine II's reign is the second longest reign in Scottish history.
Constantine II succeeded Donald II to the Scottish throne in 900. If a coronation took place, then there is no surviving record of it.
During his reign, Constantine II had to fend off Viking raids from the north and west. The earliest of these involved driving the Vikings away from Scotland, and this reached a triumphant climax at the Battle of Scone in 904, after which the Vikings were forced to withdraw from Scotland. However, by then, the Vikings had laid waste to much of Scotland, and in particular Dunkeld.
Constantine II later struggled to win land from, or at least not lose land to, his neighbours to the south, the Anglo-Saxons earldom of Northumbria and the Norse kingdom of York, where the Vikings, led by the Viking king Rognvald, had resettled themselves. Constantine II and the Earl of Bamburgh, Ealdred I, were involved in two battles with Rognvald Gudrodsson (referred to as the Battles of Corbridge ) in that area in 915 and 918, both of which resulted ultimately in a cessation of hostilities there with the Norse.
When he was not involved in fighting Vikings, Constantine II remodelled the Christian church of the day to be more Gaelic in nature. This included a Synod at Scone in 906 , and he introduced the mormaer ( earls ) system to Scotland. Constantine II married at some point in his life, but virtually nothing is known of it. The date and place of the marriage are unrecorded, and his wife's name is likewise forgotten. It is known, however, that the marriage produced at least three children: two sons and a daughter.
Constantine II's daughter, whose name is also no longer known, married Olaf III Guthfrithson, the Norse King of Dublin at the time, in 937, in order to establish a more stable relationship with the Norse. At least three children later came from this marriage. If it was intended to contribute to holding back Northumbria, it did not. Constantine II was defeated at the Battle of Brunanburh by King Athelstan of England in 937. One of Constantine II's sons, Cellach, died in this battle.
In 943, Constantine II abdicated in favour of Malcolm I (943-954) and entered a Culdee monastery in St Andrews, Fife, and eventually became Abbot there. He died peacefully in 952, and was probably buried at the monastery. Constantine II's surviving son, Indulf, later became King of Scotland.
Generation 4 - Áeda mac Causantín Other names for Aed were Aedh and Aodh.
Aed (c. 840 - 878), sometimes spelt Aedh or Aodh, became King of Scots in 877 when he succeeded his brother Constantine I of Scotland.
He was killed shortly after taking the throne by Giric of Scotland, also known as Gregory the Great, who had conspired with Aedh's nephew, Eochaid of Scotland.
Not much is known of Aedh, or even if he was actually the one named by Constantine to hold the throne. Both Giric and Eochaid ruled jointly following Aedh's death.
Aedh did marry at some point in his life, but the details, including the date and place of the marriage, and the name of his wife are not known. One son, Constantine II of Scotland, ruled later (900-942/43), while another son, Donald mac Aed, became King of Strathclyde in 908.
Aedh died violently in 878 at Strathallan, Perth and Kinross. He may have been buried at Maiden Stone in Aberdeenshire. He was succeeded under the Scottish tanistry system by his nephew, Eochaid.
Generation 5 - Causantín mac Domnall or Máel Coluim Mac Domnaill
Máel Coluim mac Domnaill (Modern Gaelic : Maol Chaluim mac Dhòmhnaill),[1] anglicised as Malcolm I, and nicknamed An Bodhbhdercc, "the Dangerous Red"[2] (before 900 - 954) was king of Scots , becoming king when his cousin Constantine II (Causantín mac Áeda) abdicated to become a monk. He was the son of Donald II (Domnall mac Causantín).
In 945 Edmund the Elder , King of England, having expelled Olaf Sihtricsson (Amlaíb Cuaran) from Northumbria , devastated Cumbria and blinded two sons of Domnall III (Domnall mac Eógain), king of Strathclyde . It is said that he then "let" or "commended" Strathclyde to Malcolm in return for an alliance.[3] What is to be understood by "let" or "commended" is unclear, but it may well mean that Malcolm had been the overlord of Strathclyde and that Edmund recognised this while taking lands in southern Cumbria for himself.
The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba says that Malcolm took an army into Moray "and slew Cellach". Cellach is not named in the surviving genealogies of the rulers of Moray , and his identity is unknown.
Malcolm appears to have kept his agreement with the late English king, which may have been renewed with the new king, Edmund having been murdered in 946 and succeeded by his brother Edred . Eric Bloodaxe took York in 948, before being driven out by Edred, and when Olaf Sihtricsson again took York in 949-950, Malcolm raided Northumbria as far south as the Tees taking "a multitude of people and many herds of cattle" according to the Chronicle.[6] The Annals of Ulster for 952 report a battle between "the men of Alba and the Britons [of Strathclyde] and the English" against the foreigners, i.e. the Northmen or the Norse-Gaels . This battle is not reported by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, and it is unclear whether it should be related to the expulsion of Olaf Sihtricsson from York or the return of Eric Bloodaxe.
The Annals of Ulster report that Malcolm was killed in 954. Other sources place this most probably in the Mearns , either at Fetteresso following the Chronicle, or at Dunnottar following the Prophecy of Berchán . He was buried on Iona .[8] Malcolm's sons Dub and Kenneth were later kings.
Noted events in his life were:
• Crowned: King of Scots, 943.
His children were:
+ 2 M i. Cinaed King of Scots 3 4 5 was born about 932 in Scotland, died in 995 in <Fettercairn, (Aberdeenshire), Scotland> about age 63, and was buried in Iona, Argyllshire, Scotland.
+ 3 M ii. Dub of Scotland 6 died about 967.
DONALD (-killed Dun-fother [900], bur [Isle of Iona]). The 10th century Pictish Chronicle Cronica de Origine Antiquorum Pictorum records that "Donivaldus filius Constantini" reigned for eleven years, after the expulsion of Eochlaid[46]. The 11th century Synchronisms of Flann Mainistreach name (in order) "Cinaet mac Ailpin…Domnall mac Ailpin, Custantin mac Cinaeta, (Aedh mac Cinaedha), Girg mac Dungaile, Domnall Dasachtach (mac Custantin)" as Scottish kings, dated to the 9th and 10th centuries[47]. The 12th century Cronica Regum Scottorum lists "…Duneval filius Constantini xi…" as king[48]. The Chronicle of John of Fordun records that "Donald…the son of…Constantine, son of Kenneth the Great" succeeded in 892 after the death of Gregory and reigned for eleven years[49]. He succeeded his cousin as DONALD II "Dasachtach" King of Scotland. The 10th century Pictish Chronicle Cronica de Origine Antiquorum Pictorum records that the Scots defeated the Danes during Donald´s reign, and that he was killed "opidum Fother"[50]. The Annals of Ulster record the death in 900 of "Domnall son of Constantine king of Scotland"[51]. The Chronicle of the Scots and Picts dated 1177 records that "Donald mac Constantine" reigned for 11 years, died "in Fores" and was buried "in Iona insula"[52]. The Chronicle of the Picts and Scots dated 1251 includes the same information.
Additional notes:
Named for sept of the Clann Cheallaigh (e.g. Mac Domhnaill or Mac Donnell). Ceann Coradh, now Kincora, was the stronghold of Brian, near the mouth of the Shannon river. For 1031, Diarmait, mac Domhnaill, mic Faoláin, king of the Deisi. The names of the Gallowglass who then came and remained in the county are: in Connacht – Mac Domhnaill, Mac Ruaidhri and Mac Suibhne.
O'Cannon, ousted as kings of Cenél Conaill in the 13th century, settled here for a time here. Arda Midhair, The Ó Dochartaigh (O'Dohertys), of Cenél Conaill, were cited as chiefs of Arda Midhair (Ardmire, perhaps the Finn Valley) in the barony of Raphoe, county Donegal. At the turn of the 13th century two Ó Dochartaigh were noted as kings of Tír Chonaill, breaking a long hold the O'Cannons and O'Muldorys (Mulderrys) had on this title. Early prominent septs of Cenél Aedha in the area of Tirhugh included Ó Maeldoraidh, Ó Canannáin (O'Cannon) and Ó Gallchobhair (O'Gallagher).
MacDonnell of Clan Celleagh
Generation 6 - Domnall mac Causantín
Domnall macCausantín (anglicised Donald II) was King of the Picts or King of Alba in the late 9th century. He was the son of Causantín mac Cináeda. Domnall is given the epithet dásachtach by the Prophecy of Berchán, meaning a violent madman. Domnall became king on the death or depositionof Giric mac Dúngail, the date of which is not certainly known but usually placed in 889. The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba reports:
Doniualdus son of Constantini held the kingdom for 11 years [889 - 900]. The Northmen wasted Pictland at this time. In his reign a battle occurred between Danes and Scots at Innisibsolian where the Scots had victory. He was killed at Opidum Fother [modern Dunnottar] by the Gentiles. It has been suggested that the attack on Dunottar, rather than being a small raid by a handful of pirates, may be associated with the ravaging of Scotland attributed to Harald Fairhair in the Heimskringla.[3] The Prophecy of Berchán places Domnall's death at Dunnottar, but appears to attribute it to Gaels rather than Norsemen; other sources report he died at Forres. Domnall's death is dated to 900 by the Annals of Ulster and the Chronicon Scotorum, where he is called king of Alba, rather that king of the Picts. He was buried on Iona.
The change from king of the Picts to king of Alba is seen as indicating a step towards the kingdom of the Scots, but historians, while divided as to when this change should be placed, do not generally attribute it to Domnall in view of his epithet. The consensus view is that the key changes occurred in the reign of Causantín mac Áeda, but the reign of Giric has also been proposed. The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba has Domnall succeeded by his cousin Causantín mac Áeda. Domnall's son Máel Coluim was later king. The Prophecy of Berchán appears to suggest that another king reigned for a short while between Domnall and Causantín, saying "half a day will he take sovereignty". Possible confirmation of this exists in the Chronicon Scotorum, where the death of "Ead, king of the Picts" in battle against the Uí Ímair is reported in 904. This, however, is thought to be an error, referring perhaps to Ædwulf , the ruler of Bernicia, whose death is reported in 913 by the other Irish annals.
Generation 7 - Caustantín mac Cinaeda son of Fergus
Caustantín or Constantín mac Fergusa (English: Constantine son of Fergus) (before 775–820) was king of the Picts (or of Fortriu), in modern Scotland, from 789 until 820. He was until the Victorian era sometimes counted as Constantine I of Scotland; the title is now generally given to Constantín mac Cináeda. He is credited with having founded the church at Dunkeld which later received relics of St Columba from Iona.
It had been proposed that Constantín and his brother Óengus were sons of Fergus mac Echdach, King of Dál Riata, but this is no longer widely accepted. Instead, it is thought they were kin to the first king Óengus mac Fergusa, perhaps grandsons or grandnephews. This family may have originated in Circinn (presumed to correspond with the modern Mearns), and had with ties to the Eóganachta of Munster in Ireland.
Constantín's reign falls in a period when Irish annals have relatively few notices of events in Scotland, possibly due to the failing of the annals believed to have been kept in Scotland at Iona and Applecross. Perhaps for that reason, there are only two reports which mention him. Other entries make it clear that the Vikings were active in Ireland and on the western coasts of Scotland in this time, which may also account for the lack of records. Iona was a target, and it may be that Abbot Noah of Kingarth, on the Isle of Bute, was killed by raiders.
The first report, in 789, is the record of a battle in Pictland between Constantín and Conall mac Taidg, in which Constantín was victorious. Conall later reappears in Kintyre, where was killed in 807. It is not known whether Constantín was king before defeating Conall. The king lists give varying lengths for his reign, from 35 to 45 years, and are not to be relied upon without independent confirmation.[6] The second report is that of Constantín's death in 820..
The Dupplin Cross was long assumed to commemorate Cináed mac Ailpín's final victory over the Picts, as indeed, was Sueno's Stone. Recent analysis has revealed a small part of an inscription on the Cross, in which Constantín is named. Accordingly, it is supposed that this monument was commissioned by him, or as a memorial to him. He appears there as Custantin filius Fircus[sa], a Latinisation derived from the Old Irish version of his name rather than the presumed Pictish form Castantin filius Uurguist found in the Poppleton Manuscript and similar Pictish king lists. The Martyrology of Tallaght (University College Dublin Ms. A3) from the Book of Leinster, c. 1180.
It has been proposed that the St Andrews Sarcophagus was made for Constantín, but this is a minority view, as is the suggestion that the relics of Columba, perhaps including the Monymusk Reliquary, may have been translated from Iona to Dunkeld uring Constantín's reign.[8] The idea that Columba's relics may have come to Dunkeld in the time of Constantín, rather than thirty years later in the time of Cináed mac Ailpín is based on an entry in the Chronicon Scotorum for 818
That Constantín established Dunkeld is stated by later chroniclers such as John of Fordun who are following some variants of the Pictish king lists or other materials now lost. Andrew of Wyntoun dates the foundation to 815, although he states that this was after the deaths of Charlemagne and Pope Leo III, which would date it to 816 or later. It is suggested that Constantín is commemorated by the Martyrology of Tallaght, a product of one of the principal céli dé monasteries of the day. As a patron of the céli dé, and perhaps a collaborator of Abbot Diarmait of Iona, it is thought that Constantín may have been a church reformer, in line with céli dé ideals.Caustantín appears also to have been a patron of the Northumbrian monasteries, as he is commemorated, along with his nephew Eogán, in the Liber Vitae Dunelmensis, which contains a list of those for whom prayers were said, dating from around 840.
Constantín was succeeded by his brother Óengus. His son Drest was later king. Constantín's son Domnall is believed to have been king of Dál Riata from around 811 until 835. Constantín's reputation among the kings who followed him may, perhaps, be demonstrated by the use of his name on for three kings in the century and a half following his death when it is not attested as a kingly name in Scotland prior to his reign.
Generation 8 - Fergus mac Echdach
Fergus mac Echdach was king of Dál Riata (modern western Scotland) from about 778 until 781.
Scotland at the beginning of recorded history was composed of the kingdom of Picts in the north, awith other warlike tribes in their vincinity; the kingdom of the Scots, or Dalriada from Ireland in the west, later called Argyll; the Cymric, or Welsh, in the southwest called the kingdom of the Strathclyde Britons; and the Angles in the southeast. The English domain included the part of Scotland called Lothian and the northern part of England which for many years was contested betweenthe two countries. Gaelic was spoken by both the Picts and the Scots. Each of these regions were in constant warfare with the others, but with the union of the Picts and Dalriada Scots came a kingdom whichabsorbed the Welsh and Englaish region south of it.
(ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpin_II_of_Dalriada) Alpín mac Echdach may refer to two persons, or to one, or to none. The first person is a presumed king of Dál Riata in the late 730s. The second is the father of Cináed mac Ailpín. The name Alpín is taken to be a Pictish one, derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Æelfwine; Alpín's patronymic means son of Eochaid or son of Eochu. Irish annals such as the Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Innisfallen name Cináed's father as one Alpín. This much is reasonably certain.
The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba usually begins with Cináed, but some variants include a reference to Cináed's father: "[Alpín] was killed in Galloway, after he had entirely destroyed and devastated it. Andthen the kingdom of the Scots was transferred to the kingdom [variant: land] of the Picts." John of Fordun (IV, ii) calls Cináed's father"Alpin son of Achay" (Alpín son of Eochu) and has him killed in war with the Picts; Andrew of Wyntoun's version mixes Fordun's war with thePicts with the Chronicle version which has him killed in Galloway.
The genealogies produced for Kings of Scots in the High Middle Ages traced their ancestry through Cináed mac Ailpín, through the Cenél nGabráin of Dál Riata to Fergus Mór, and then to legendary Irish kings such as Conaire Mor. These genealogies, perhaps oral in origin, were subjected to some regularisation by the scribes who copied them into sources such as the Chronicle of Melrose, the Poppleton Manuscript and the like. Either by accident, or by design, a number of kings were misplaced, being moved from the early 8th century to the late 8th and early 9th century. The original list is presumed to have resembled the following:
1. Eochaid mac Domangairt
2. Ainbcellach mac Ferchair
3. Eógan mac Ferchair
4. Selbach mac Ferchair
5. Eochaid mac Echdach
6. Dúngal mac Selbaig
7. Alpín
8. Muiredach mac Ainbcellaig
9. Eógan mac Muiredaig
10. Áed Find
11. Fergus mac Echdach
After modification to link this list of kings of Dál Riata to the family of Cináed mac Ailpín, the list is presumed to have been in this form:
1. Eochaid mac Domangairt
2. Ainbcellach mac Ferchair
3. Eógan mac Ferchair
8. Muiredach mac Ainbcellaig
9. Eogan mac Muiredaig
10. Áed Find
11. Fergus mac Echdach
4. Selbach mac Ferchair (called Selbach mac Eógain)
5. Eochaid mac Echdach (called Eochaid mac Áeda Find)
6. Dúngal mac Selbaig (name unchanged)
7. Alpín (called Alpín mac Echdach)
However, the existence of the original Alpín is less than certain. Noking in Dál Riata of that name is recorded in the Irish annals in theearly 730s. A Pictish king named Alpín, whose father's name is not given in any Irish sources, or even from the Pictish Chronicle king-lists, is known from the late 720s, when he was defeated by Óengus mac Fergusa and Nechtan mac Der-Ilei. For the year 742, the Annals of Ulster are read was referring to the capture of "Elffin son of Crop" (the former reading had besieged rather than captured). Whether Álpin son of Crup is related to the Álpin of the 720s is unknown.
He succeeded Áed Find. He is stated to have been a son of Eochaid mac Echdach, and thus a brother of Áed. Some much later sources make him a son of Áed, but this is not credited by modern studies. His death is noticed in 781 by the Annals of Ulster.
Generation 9 - Eochaid mac Echdach
Eochaid mac Eochaid was king of Dál Riata (modern western Scotland) from 726 until 733. He was a son of Eochaid mac Domangairt.
Eochaid came to power as king of Dál Riata in 726, presumably deposing Dúngal mac Selbaig. Selbach may have tried to restore his son to power, and fought against Eochaid's supporters at Irros Foichnae in 727, but without apparent success. The annals vary as to whether the despatch of a fleet from Dál Riata to Ireland to aid Flaithbertach mac Loingsig in his war with Áed Allán should be placed in the reign of Eochaid, or that of his successor.
At his death in 733, Eochaid is named king rather than lord of Dál Riata, which may suggest that after the defeat of Dúngal and Selbach his reign was unchallenged. His son, Áed Find, was later king of Dál Riata.
As Dál Riata certainly maintained a separate existence until 736, Eochaid must have had a successor, or successors. It appears that he was succeeded by Muiredach mac Ainbcellaig, who had replaced Dúngal mac Selbaig as king of the Cenél Loairn.
Generation 10 - Eochaid mac Domangart
Eochaid mac Domangairt (died ca. 697) was a king of Dál Riata (modern western Scotland) in about 697. He was a member of the Cenél nGabráin, the son of Domangart mac Domnaill and father of Eochaid mac Echdach; Alpín mac Echdach may also be a son of this Eochaid.
He is named in Dál Riata king-lists, the Duan Albanach and the Synchronisms of Flann Mainistrech. In some sources he is called Eochaid Crook-Nose (Riannamail), but modern readings take this is a being a garbled reference to Fiannamail ua Dúnchado rather than an epithet.
The killing of Eochu nepos Domnaill, Eochaid grandson of Domnall Brecc, is reported in the Annals of Ulster for 697.
Generation 11 - Domangart mac Domnall
Domangart mac Domnaill (died 673) was a king in Dál Riata (modern western Scotland) and the son of Domnall Brecc. It is not clear whether he was over-king of Dál Riata or king of the Cenél nGabráin.
Domangart is not listed by the Duan Albanach but is included in other sources, such as genealogies of William the Lion, and that of Causantín mac Cuilén found with the Senchus fer n-Alban. In these genealogies he is noted as the father of Eochaid mac Domangairt.
The Annals of Ulster for 673 report: "The killing of Domangart, son of Domnall Brecc, the king of Dál Riata." Some king-lists state that in his time the Cenél Comgaill separated from the Cenél nGabráin.
It is not clear who succeeded Domangart as king of Dál Riata, if he was such, or as king of the Cenél nGabráin. Known kings after Domangart include Máel Dúin mac Conaill and Domnall Donn of the Cenél nGabráin and Ferchar Fota of the Cenél Loairn is assigned a long reign of 21 years by the Duan Albanach and other king-lists, and this would place the beginning of his rule close to the death of Domangart.
Generation 12 - Domnall mac Echdach or Domnall Brecc
Domnall Brecc (Welsh: Dyfnwal Frych; English: Donald the Freckled) (d. 642 in Strathcarron) was king of Dál Riata, in modern Scotland, from about 629 until 642. He was the son of Eochaid Buide.
He first appears in 622, when the Annals of Tigernach report his presence at the battle of Cend Delgthen (probably in the east midlands of Ireland) as an ally of Conall Guthbinn of Clann Cholmáin. This is the only battle known where Domnall Brecc fought on the winning side.
Domnall suffered four defeats after he broke Dál Riata's alliance with the Cenél Conaill clan of the Uí Néill. In Ireland, Domnall and his ally Congal Cáech of the Dál nAraidi were defeated by Domnall mac Áedo of the Cenél Conaill, the High King of Ireland, at the Battle of Mag Rath (Moira, County Down) in 637. He also lost to the Picts in 635 and 638 and lastly to Eugein I of Alt Clut at Strathcarron in 642, where he was killed.
A stanza interpolated into the early 9th Century Welsh poem Y Gododdin refers to these events:
I saw an array that came from Pentir,
And bore themselves splendidly around the conflagration.
I saw a second one, rapidly descending from their township,
Who had risen at the word of the grandson of Nwython.[1]
I saw great sturdy men who came with the dawn,
And the head of Dyfnwal Frych, ravens gnawed it.
Domnall's son Domangart mac Domnaill was later to be king of Dál Riata and from him the later kings of the Cenél nGabráin were descended. A second son, Cathasach, died c. 650, and a grandson of Domnall, also called Cathasach, died c. 688.
Generation 13 - Eochaid mac Áedán or Eochaid Buide
Eochaid Buide was king of Dál Riata from around 608 until 629. "Buide" refers to the colour yellow, as in the colour of his hair.
He was a younger son of Áedán mac Gabráin and became his father's chosen heir upon the death of his elder brothers. Adomnán's Life of Saint Columba has Columba foresee that Eochaid, then a child, will succeed his father in preference to his adult brothers Artúr, Eochaid Find and Domangart.
In the last two years of his reign, 627–629, Eochaid was apparently co-ruler with Connad Cerr, who predeceased him. Eochaid was followed by his son Domnall Brecc.
Eochaid's other sons named by the Senchus fer n-Alban are Conall Crandomna, Failbe (who died at the Battle of Fid Eoin), Cú-cen-máthair (whose death is reported in the Annals of Ulster for 604), Conall Bec, Connad or Conall Cerr (who may be the same person as Connad Cerr who died at Fid Eoin), Failbe, Domangart and Domnall Donn (not the same person as Domnall Donn unless his obituary is misplaced by 45 years like that of Ferchar mac Connaid)
According to the Fled Dúin na nGéd, Eochaid Buide was the grandfather of Congal Cáech. The story has anachronistic features as it has Eochaid alive at the time of the battle of Mag Rath (securely dated to within a year of 637), but it is chronologically feasible that Congal Cáech could have been the son of Eochaid's daughter if the identification of Cú-cen-máthair and the dating of his death is correct.
Generation 14 - Áedán mac Gabráin
Áedán mac Gabráin (pronounced [ˈaiðaːn mak ˈɡavraːnʲ] in Old Irish) was a king of Dál Riata from circa 574 until his death, perhaps on 17 April 609. The kingdom of Dál Riata was situated in modern Argyll and Bute, Scotland, and parts of County Antrim, Ireland. Genealogies record that Áedán was a son of Gabrán mac Domangairt.
He was a contemporary of Saint Columba, and much that is recorded of his life and career comes from hagiography such as Adomnán of Iona's Life of Saint Columba. Áedán appears as a character in Old Irish and Middle Irish language works of prose and verse, some now lost.
The Irish annals record Áedán's campaigns against his neighbours, in Ireland, and in northern Britain, including expeditions to the Orkney Islands, the Isle of Man, and the east coast of Scotland. As recorded by Bede, Áedán was decisively defeated by Æthelfrith of Bernicia at the Battle of Degsastan. Áedán may have been deposed, or have abdicated, following this defeat.
Generation 15 - Gabrán mac Domangairt
Gabrán mac Domangairt was king of Dál Riata in the middle of the 6th century. He is the eponymous ancestor of the Cenél nGabraín.
The historical evidence for Gabrán is limited to the notice of his death in the Irish annals. It is possible that his death should be linked to a migration or flight from Bridei mac Maelchon, but this may be no more than coincidence.
The king lists show Gabrán as the successor of his brother Comgall (d. ca. 537), and as the predecessor of Comgall's son Conall. The Duan Albanach gives him only a two year reign [Duan Albanach, 131], while the Latin Lists give 22 years [Poppleton MS, KKES, 253; Lists "D", "F", pp. 264, 270; probably correct] or 34 years [List "I", ibid., 281, probably an error for the 34 assigned to his son Áedán; Gabrán is accidently omitted by List "K", ibid., 286].
Date of Birth: Unknown. Place of Birth: Unknown.
Date of Death: d. ca. 559. ["... & mors Gabrain mc. Domangairt." AU (s.a. 559, also a duplicate entry s.a. 557); "Bass Gabrain maic Domanguirt ríg Alban." AT 17: 142; "Mors Gabráin mic Domangoirt, Rí Alban." CS, 52] Place of Death: Unknown.
Father: Domangart mac Fergusa, d. ca. 506?, king of Dál Riata.
Mother: Uncertain. See the Commentary section.
Spouse: Unknown. See the Commentary section.
Children: His five sons are named by Senchus Fer nAlban ["Cúic meic immora la Gabrán .i. Áedán. Éoganán. Cuildach Domnall. Domangart." Senchus, 41]. Only two of these sons are known from other sources.
MALE Áedán mac Gabráin, d. ca. 604, king of Dál Riata, ca. 573-ca. 604.
MALE Eóganán mac Gabráin, d. ca. 593. ["Mors Eugain m. Gabrain." AU (s.a. 594); "Bass Eoghain maic Gabran." AT 17: 160] Iogenanus is mentioned by Adomnán as a brother of Aidanus, the latter of whom St. Columba at first refused to consecrate as king, because he loved Eóganán more [Adomnán, iii, 5 (p. 189)].
MALE Cuildach mac Gabráin.
MALE Domnall mac Gabráin.
MALE Domangart mac Gabráin.
Gabrán mac Domangairt, King of Dál Riata Male Father: Domangart mac Fergusa, King of Dal Riata ++ [AR7]
Name Gabrán mac Domangairt King of Dál Riata [S1329]
Name [unproved] Gabran King of Dalriada [Gabran the Treacherous]
Name ++ Gabran [AR7]
abt 510 Birth [unproved] Source References: [AR7] Ancestral Roots of Sixty Colonists Who Came To New England before 1700, 7th Ed. [S1329] The Henry Project - Gabrán mac Domangairt Baldwin says his mother is uncertain
Gabrán mac Domangairt, King of Dál Riata and Unknown Children:
Aidan mac Gabran, king of Dalriada (~540-~608) ++ [AR7]
Generation 16 - Domangart mac Fergus or Domangart Reti Of mac Fergus, Rí na Dál Riata
Domangart mac Fergus, was the King of Dalriada from about 501-507, following his father's death. Domangart married Feldem Foltchain, daughter of Brion, son of Eochaid Mugmedon. Brion was an older half -brother of the famous Niall of the Nine Hostages.
Generation 17 - Fergus Mòr Mac Earca or Fergus Mor
The historical record, such as it is, consists of an entry in the Annals of Tigernach, for the year 501, which states: Feargus Mor mac Earca cum gente Dal Riada partem Britaniae tenuit, et ibi mortuus est. (Fergus Mór mac Eirc, with the people of Dál Riata, held part of Britain, and he died there.) However, the forms of Fergus, Erc and Dál Riata are later ones, written down long after the 6th century. The record in the Annals has given rise to theories of invasions of Argyll from Ireland, but these are not considered authentic.[1]
Fergus is also found in the king lists of Dál Riata, and later of Scotland, of which the Senchus Fer n-Alban and the Duan Albanach can be taken as examples. The Senchus states that Fergus Mór was also known as Mac Nisse Mór. These sources probably date from the 10th and 11th centuries respectively, between 30 and 40 generations after Fergus may have lived.
The Senchus and the Duan name Fergus's father as Erc son of Eochaid Muinremuir. A Middle Irish genealogy of the kings of Alba gives an extensive genealogy for Fergus: [Fergus] m. h-Eircc m. Echdach Muinremuir m. Óengusa Fir m. Feideilmid m. Óengusa m. Feideilmid m. Cormaicc, and a further forty-six generations here omitted.[2] While it was suggested some believe Fergus claimed lineage to Arthur, the historian John Morris has suggested, instead, that Fergus was allowed to settle in Scotland as a federate of Arthur, as a bulwark against the Picts.
These sources, while they offer evidence for the importance of Fergus Mór in Medieval times, are not evidence for his historical career. Indeed, only one king in the 6th century in Scotland is known from contemporary evidence, Ceretic of Alt Clut, and even this identification rests upon a later gloss to Saint Patrick's Letter to Coroticus. The first kings of Dál Riata whose existences are reasonably sure are Fergus's grandsons Gabrán mac Domangairt and Comgall, or perhaps his great-grandson Áedán mac Gabráin.
