Other Events and Attributes:

• Nickname: The Destroyer
• Name: Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, Rí na h'Alb

Notes:

Malcolm II

King of Scots
Reign 1005–1034
Predecessor Kenneth III
Successor Duncan I
Born c. 954
Died 25 November 1034
Glamis
Burial Iona
Issue Bethóc
Donada
Olith
House Alpin
Father Kenneth II
Malcolm II of Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Malcolm (Gaelic: Máel Coluim; c. 954 - 25 November
1034)[1] was King of the Scots from 1005 until his death.[2]
He was a son of King Kenneth II; the Prophecy of Berchán
says that his mother was a woman of Leinster and refers to
him as Forranach, "the Destroyer".[3]
To the Irish annals which recorded his death, Malcolm was
ard rí Alban, High King of Scotland. In the same way that
Brian Bóruma, High King of Ireland, was not the only king
in Ireland, Malcolm was one of several kings within the
geographical boundaries of modern Scotland: his fellow
kings included the king of Strathclyde, who ruled much of
the south-west, various Norse-Gael kings on the western
coast and the Hebrides and, nearest and most dangerous
rivals, the kings or Mormaers of Moray. To the south, in the
Kingdom of England, the Earls of Bernicia and Northumbria,
whose predecessors as kings of Northumbria had once ruled
most of southern Scotland, still controlled large parts of the
southeast.[4]
Contents
1 Early years
2 Children
3 Bernicia
4 Cnut
5 Orkney and Moray
6 Strathclyde and the succession
7 Death and posterity
8 Notes
9 References
10 External links
Early years
Malcolm II was born to Kenneth II of Scotland. He was grandson of Malcolm I of Scotland. In 997, the killer
of Constantine is credited as being Kenneth, son of Malcolm. Since there is no known and relevant Kenneth
alive at that time (King Kenneth having died in 995), it is considered an error for either Kenneth III, who
succeeded Constantine, or, possibly, Malcolm himself, the son of Kenneth II.[5] Whether Malcolm killed
Constantine or not, there is no doubt that in 1005 he killed Constantine's successor Kenneth III in battle at
Monzievaird in Strathearn.[6]

John of Fordun writes that Malcolm defeated a Norwegian army "in almost the first days after his coronation",
but this is not reported elsewhere. Fordun says that the Bishopric of Mortlach (later moved to Aberdeen) was
founded in thanks for this victory over the Norwegians.[7]
Children
Malcolm demonstrated a rare ability to survive among early Scottish kings by reigning for twenty-nine years.
He was a clever and ambitious man. Brehon tradition provided that the successor to Malcolm was to be selected
by him from among the descendants of King Aedh, with the consent of Malcolm's ministers and of the church.
Ostensibly in an attempt to end the devastating feuds in the north of Scotland, but obviously influenced by the
Norman feudal model, Malcolm ignored tradition and determined to retain the succession within his own line.
But since Malcolm had no son of his own, he undertook to negotiate a series of dynastic marriages of his three
daughters to men who might otherwise be his rivals, while securing the loyalty of the principal chiefs, their
relatives. First he married his daughter Bethoc to Crinan, Thane of The Isles, head of the house of Atholl and
secular Abbot of Dunkeld; then his youngest daughter, Olith, to Sigurd, Earl of Orkney. His middle daughter,
Donada, was married to Finlay, Earl of Moray, Thane of Ross and Cromarty and a descendant of Loarn of
Dalriada. This was risky business under the rules of succession of the Gael, but he thereby secured his rear and,
taking advantage of the renewal of Viking attacks on England, marched south to fight the English. He defeated
the Angles at Carham in 1018 and installed his grandson, Duncan, son of the Abbot of Dunkeld and his choice
as Tanist, in Carlisle as King of Cumbria that same year.[8]
Bernicia
The first reliable report of Malcolm II's reign is of an invasion of Bernicia in 1006, perhaps the customary crech
ríg (literally royal prey, a raid by a new king made to demonstrate prowess in war), which involved a siege of
Durham. This appears to have resulted in a heavy defeat by the Northumbrians, led by Uhtred of Bamburgh,
later Earl of Bernicia, which is reported by the Annals of Ulster.[9]
A second war in Bernicia, probably in 1018, was more successful. The Battle of Carham, by the River Tweed,
was a victory for the Scots led by Malcolm II and the men of Strathclyde led by their king, Owen the Bald. By
this time Earl Uchtred may have been dead, and Eiríkr Hákonarson was appointed Earl of Northumbria by his
brother-in-law Cnut the Great, although his authority seems to have been limited to the south, the former
kingdom of Deira, and he took no action against the Scots so far as is known.[10] The work De obsessione
Dunelmi (The siege of Durham, associated with Symeon of Durham) claims that Uchtred's brother Eadwulf
Cudel surrendered Lothian to Malcolm II, presumably in the aftermath of the defeat at Carham. This is likely to
have been the lands between Dunbar and the Tweed as other parts of Lothian had been under Scots control
before this time. It has been suggested that Cnut received tribute from the Scots for Lothian, but as he had
likely received none from the Bernician Earls this is not very probable.[11]
Cnut
Cnut, reports the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, led an army into Scotland on his return from pilgrimage to Rome.
The Chronicle dates this to 1031, but there are reasons to suppose that it should be dated to 1027.[12]
Burgundian chronicler Rodulfus Glaber recounts the expedition soon afterwards, describing Malcolm as
"powerful in resources and arms … very Christian in faith and deed."[13] Ralph claims that peace was made
between Malcolm and Cnut through the intervention of Richard, Duke of Normandy, brother of Cnut's wife
Emma. Richard died in about 1027 and Rodulfus wrote close in time to the events.[14]
It has been suggested that the root of the quarrel between Cnut and Malcolm lies in Cnut's pilgrimage to Rome,
and the coronation of Holy Roman Emperor Conrad II, where Cnut and Rudolph III, King of Burgundy had the
place of honour. If Malcolm were present, and the repeated mentions of his piety in the annals make it quite
possible that he made a pilgrimage to Rome, as did Mac Bethad mac Findláich ("Macbeth") in later times, then
the coronation would have allowed Malcolm to publicly snub Cnut's claims to overlordship.[15]
Cnut obtained rather less than previous English kings, a promise of peace and friendship rather than the
promise of aid on land and sea that Edgar and others had obtained. The sources say that Malcolm was
accompanied by one or two other kings, certainly Mac Bethad, and perhaps Echmarcach mac Ragnaill, King of
Mann and the Isles, and of Galloway.[16] The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle remarks of the submission "but he
[Malcolm] adhered to that for only a little while".[17] Cnut was soon occupied in Norway against Olaf
Haraldsson and appears to have had no further involvement with Scotland.
Orkney and Moray
Olith a daughter of Malcolm, married Sigurd Hlodvisson, Earl of Orkney.[18] Their son Thorfinn Sigurdsson
was said to be five years old when Sigurd was killed on 23 April 1014 in the Battle of Clontarf. The
Orkneyinga Saga says that Thorfinn was raised at Malcolm's court and was given the Mormaerdom of
Caithness by his grandfather. Thorfinn, says the Heimskringla, was the ally of the king of Scots, and counted on
Malcolm's support to resist the "tyranny" of Norwegian King Olaf Haraldsson.[19] The chronology of
Thorfinn's life is problematic, and he may have had a share in the Earldom of Orkney while still a child, if he
was indeed only five in 1014.[20] Whatever the exact chronology, before Malcolm's death a client of the king of
Scots was in control of Caithness and Orkney, although, as with all such relationships, it is unlikely to have
lasted beyond his death.
If Malcolm exercised control over Moray, which is far from being generally accepted, then the annals record a
number of events pointing to a struggle for power in the north. In 1020, Mac Bethad's father Findláech mac
Ruaidrí was killed by the sons of his brother Máel Brigte.[21] It seems that Máel Coluim mac Máil Brigti took
control of Moray, for his death is reported in 1029.[22]
Despite the accounts of the Irish annals, English and Scandinavian writers appear to see Mac Bethad as the
rightful king of Moray: this is clear from their descriptions of the meeting with Cnut in 1027, before the death
of Malcolm mac Máil Brigti. Malcolm was followed as king or earl by his brother Gillecomgan, husband of
Gruoch, a granddaughter of King Kenneth III. It has been supposed that Mac Bethad was responsible for the
killing of Gille Coemgáin in 1032, but if Mac Bethad had a cause for feud in the killing of his father in 1020,
Malcolm too had reason to see Gille Coemgáin dead. Not only had Gillecomgan's ancestors killed many of
Malcolm's kin, but Gillecomgan and his son Lulach might be rivals for the throne. Malcolm had no living sons,
and the threat to his plans for the succession was obvious. As a result, the following year Gruoch's brother or
nephew, who might have eventually become king, was killed by Malcolm.[23]
Strathclyde and the succession
It has traditionally been supposed that King Owen the Bald of Strathclyde died at the Battle of Carham and that
the kingdom passed into the hands of the Scots afterwards. This rests on some very weak evidence. It is far
from certain that Owen died at Carham, and it is reasonably certain that there were kings of Strathclyde as late
as 1054, when Edward the Confessor sent Earl Siward to install "Malcolm son of the king of the Cumbrians".
The confusion is old, probably inspired by William of Malmesbury and embellished by John of Fordun, but
there is no firm evidence that the kingdom of Strathclyde was a part of the kingdom of the Scots, rather than a
loosely subjected kingdom, before the time of Malcolm II of Scotland's great-grandson Malcolm Canmore.[24]
By the 1030s Malcolm's sons, if he had any, were dead. The only evidence that he did have a son or sons is in
Rodulfus Glaber's chronicle where Cnut is said to have stood as godfather to a son of Malcolm.[25] His
grandson Thorfinn would have been unlikely to be accepted as king by the Scots, and he chose the sons of his
other daughter, Bethóc, who was married to Crínán, lay abbot of Dunkeld, and perhaps Mormaer of Atholl. It
may be no more than coincidence, but in 1027 the Irish annals had reported the burning of Dunkeld, although
no mention is made of the circumstances.[26] Malcolm's chosen heir, and the first tánaise ríg certainly known in
Scotland, was Duncan.
19th-century engraving of "King
Malcolm's grave stone" (Glamis no.
2) at Glamis
It is possible that a third daughter of Malcolm married Findláech mac Ruaidrí and that Mac Bethad was thus his
grandson, but this rests on relatively weak evidence.[27]
Death and posterity
Malcolm died in 1034, Marianus Scotus giving the date as 25
November 1034. The king lists say that he died at Glamis, variously
describing him as a "most glorious" or "most victorious" king. The
Annals of Tigernach report that "Malcolm mac Cináeda, king of
Scotland, the honour of all the west of Europe, died." The Prophecy of
Berchán, perhaps the inspiration for John of Fordun and Andrew of
Wyntoun's accounts where Malcolm is killed fighting bandits, says that
he died by violence, fighting "the parricides", suggested to be the sons
of Máel Brigte of Moray.[28]
Perhaps the most notable feature of Malcolm's death is the account of
Marianus, matched by the silence of the Irish annals, which tells us that
Duncan I became king and ruled for five years and nine months. Given
that his death in 1040 is described as being "at an immature age" in the
Annals of Tigernach, he must have been a young man in 1034. The
absence of any opposition suggests that Malcolm had dealt thoroughly
with any likely opposition in his own lifetime.[29]
Tradition, dating from Fordun's time if not earlier, knew the Pictish
stone now called "Glamis 2" as "King Malcolm's grave stone". The stone is a Class II stone, apparently formed
by re-using a Bronze Age standing stone. Its dating is uncertain, with dates from the 8th century onwards
having been proposed. While an earlier date is favoured, an association with accounts of Malcolm's has been
proposed on the basis of the iconography of the carvings.[30]
On the question of Malcolm's putative pilgrimage, pilgrimages to Rome, or other long-distance journeys, were
far from unusual. Thorfinn Sigurdsson, Cnut and Mac Bethad have already been mentioned. Rognvald Kali
Kolsson is known to have gone crusading in the Mediterranean in the 12th century. Nearer in time, Dyfnwal of
Strathclyde died on pilgrimage to Rome in 975 as did Máel Ruanaid uá Máele Doraid, King of the Cenél
Conaill, in 1025.
Not a great deal is known of Malcolm's activities beyond the wars and killings. The Book of Deer records that
Malcolm "gave a king's dues in Biffie and in Pett Meic-Gobraig, and two davochs" to the monastery of Old
Deer.[31] He was also probably not the founder of the Bishopric of Mortlach-Aberdeen. John of Fordun has a
peculiar tale to tell, related to the supposed "Laws of Malcolm MacKenneth", saying that Malcolm gave away
all of Scotland, except for the Moot Hill at Scone, which is unlikely to have any basis in fact.[32]
Notes
1. Skene, Chronicles, pp. 99–100.
2. Malcolm's birth date is not known, but must have been around 980 if thFel ateyjarbók is right in dating the marriage of
his daughter and Sigurd Hlodvisson to the lifetime of Olaf Tryggvason; Early Sources, p. 528, quoting Olaf
Tryggvason's Saga.
3. Early Sources, pp. 574–575.
4. Higham, pp. 226–227, notes that the kings of the English had neither lands nor mints north of thTee es.
5. Early Sources, pp. 517–518. John of Fordun has Malcolm as the killer; Duncan, p. 46, creditKs enneth MacDuff with
the death of Constantine.
6. Chronicon Scotorum, s.a. 1005; Early Sources, pp. 521–524; Fordun, IV, xxxviii. Berchán places Cináed's death by the
Earn.
7. Early Sources, p. 525, note 1; Fordun, IV, xxxix–xl.
References
For primary sources see also External links below.
Anderson, Alan Orr, Early Sources of Scottish History A.D. 500–1286, volume 1. Reprinted with corrections. Paul
Watkins, Stamford, 1990. ISBN 1-871615-03-8
Anon., Orkneyinga Saga: The History of the Earls of Orkne,y tr. Hermann Pálsson and Paul Edwards. Penguin, London,
1978. ISBN 0-14-044383-5
8. 1. BETHOC [Beatrix Beatrice Betoch] "Genealogy of King William the Lyon" dated 1175 names "Betoch filii
Malcolmi" as parent of "Malcolmi filii Dunecani". The Chronicle of the Scots and Picts dated1 717 names "Cran
Abbatis de Dunkelden et Bethok filia Malcolm mac Kynnet" as parents of King Duncan. source Beatrice who married
Crynyne Abthane of Dul and Steward of the Isles 2. DONADA [Dovada Duada Doada Donalda] R alph 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". 3. OLITH [Alice Olith Anlite] Orkneyinga
Saga records that "Earl Sigurd" married "the daughter of Malcolm King of Scots". Snorre records the marriage of
"Sigurd the Thick" and "a daughter of the Scottish king Malcolm". Ulster journal of archaeolo,g Vyolume 6 By Ulster
Archaeological Society names her as (Alice) wife of Sygurt and daughter of Malcolm II. The American historical
magazine, Volume 2 By Publishing Society of New York, Americana Society pg 529 names her Olith or Alice.
9. Duncan, pp. 27–28; Smyth, pp. 236–237; Annals of Ulste, rs.a. 1006.
10. Duncan, pp. 28–29 suggests that Earl Uchtred may not have died until 1018. Fletcher accepts that he died in Spring
1016 and the Eadwulf Cudel was Earl of Bernicia when Carham was fought in 1018; Higham, pp. 225–230, agrees.
Smyth, pp. 236–237 reserves judgement as to the date of the battle, 1016 or 1018, and whether Uchtred was still living
when it was fought. See also Stenton, pp. 418–419.
11. Early Sources, p. 544, note 6; Higham, pp. 226–227.
12. ASC, Ms D, E and F; Duncan, pp. 29–30.
13. Early Sources, pp. 545–546.
14. Ralph was writing in 1030 or 1031; Duncan, p. 31.
15. Duncan, pp. 31–32; the alternative, he notes, that Cnut was concerned about support foOrl af Haraldsson, "is no better
evidenced."
16. Duncan, pp. 29–30. St. Olaf's Saga, c. 131 says "two kings came south from Fife in Scotland" to meet Cnut, suggesting
only Malcolm and Mac Bethad, and that Cnut returned their lands and gave them gifts. That Echmarcach was king of
Galloway is perhaps doubtful; the Annals of Ulster record the death oSf uibne mac Cináeda, rí Gall-Gáedel ("King of
Galloway") by Tigernach, in 1034.
17. ASC, Ms. D, s.a. 1031.
18. Early Sources, p. 528; Orkneyinga Saga, c. 12.
19. Orkneyinga Saga, cc. 13–20 & 32; St. Olaf's Saga, c. 96.
20. Duncan, p.42; reconciling the various dates of Thorfinn's life appears impossible on the face of it. Either he was born
well before 1009 and must have died long before 1065, or the accounts in thOe rkneyinga Saga are deeply flawed.
21. Annals of Tigernach, s.a. 1020; Annals of Ulste,r s.a. 1020, but the killers are not named. The Annals of Ulstern ad the
Book of Leinster call Findláech "king of Scotland".
22. Annals of Ulster and Annals of Tigernach, s.a. 1029. Malcolm's death is not said to have been by violence and he too is
called king rather than mormaer.
23. Duncan, pp. 29–30, 32–33 and compare HudsonP, rophecy of Berchán, pp. 222–223. Early Sources, p.571; Annals of
Ulster, s.a. 1032 & 1033; Annals of Loch Cé, s.a. 1029 & 1033. The identity of theM . m. Boite killed in 1033 is
uncertain, being reading as "the son of the son of Boite" or as "M. son of Boite", Gruoch's brother or nephew
respectively.
24. Duncan, pp. 29 and 37–41; Oram,D avid I, pp. 19–21.
25. Early Sources, p. 546; Duncan, pp. 30–31, understands Rodulfus Glaber as meaning that Duke Richard was godfather to
a son of Cnut and Emma.
26. Annals of Ulster and Annals of Loch Cé, s.a. 1027.
27. Hudson, pp. 224–225 discusses the question and the reliability oAf ndrew of Wyntoun's chronicle, on which this rests.
28. Early Sources, pp. 572–575; Duncan, pp. 33–34.
29. Duncan, pp. 32–33.
30. Laing, Lloyd (2001), "The date and context of the Glamis, Angus, carved Pictish stones ("http://webarchive.nationalarch
ives.gov.uk/20090809004407/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_311/131_223_239.pdf) (PDF),
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Edinburgh, 131: 223–239, archived from the original (http://ads.a
hds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_131/131_223_239.pd f()PDF) on 2009-08-09
31. Gaelic Notes in the Book of Deer.
32. Fordun, IV, xliii and Skene's notes; Duncan, p. 150; Barrow, Kingdom of the Scots, p. 39.
Barrow, G.W.S., The Kingdom of the Scots. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2003. ISBN 0-7486-1803-1
Clarkson, Tim, Strathclyde and the Anglo-Saxons in the Viking Age, Birlinn, Edinburgh, 2014, ISBN 9781906566784
Duncan, A.A.M., The Kingship of the Scots 842–1292: Succession and Independenc eE.dinburgh University Press,
Edinburgh, 2002. ISBN 0-7486-1626-8
Fletcher, Richard, Bloodfeud: Murder and Revenge in Anglo-Saxon England. Penguin, London, 2002. ISBN 0-14-
028692-6
John of Fordun, Chronicle of the Scottish Nation, ed. William Forbes Skene, tr. Felix J.H. Skene, 2 vols. Reprinted,
Llanerch Press, Lampeter, 1993. ISBN 1-897853-05-X
Higham, N.J., The Kingdom of Northumbria AD 350–100. Sutton, Stroud, 1993. ISBN 0-86299-730-5
Hudson, Benjamin T., The Prophecy of Berchán: Irish and Scottish High-Kings of the Early Middle Age sG. reenwood,
London, 1996.
Smyth, Alfred P. Warlords and Holy Men: Scotland AD 80–100. Reprinted, Edinburgh: Edinburgh UP, 1998. ISBN 0-
7486-0100-7
Stenton, Sir Frank, Anglo-Saxon England .3rd edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1971IS BN 0-19-280139-2
Sturluson, Snorri, Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway, tr. Lee M. Hollander. Reprinted University of Texas
Press, Austin, 1992. ISBN 0-292-73061-6
External links
CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts at University College Cork includes the Annals of Ulster, Tigernach,
the Four Masters and Innisfallen, the Chronicon Scotorum, the Lebor Bretnach (which includes the Duan
Albanach), Genealogies, and various Saints' Lives. Most are translated into English, or translations are in
progress.
Heimskringla at World Wide School
"icelandic sagas" at Northvegr
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle an XML edition by Tony Jebson (translation at OMACL)
Malcolm II, King of Alba 1005 – 1034. Scotland's History. BBC.
Malcolm II of Scotland
House of Alpin
Born: c. 980 Died: 25 November 1034
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Kenneth III
King of Scots
1005–1034
Succeeded by
Duncan I
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Malcolm_II_of_Scotland&oldid=787161720"
Categories: 1034 deaths House of Alpin 11th-century Scottish monarchs Burials at Iona Abbey
954 births
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Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. ingen Maíl Coluim meic Cináeda, Bethóc was born in UNKNOWN in Scotland; died in DECEASED in Scotland; was buried in Scotland.

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: LDMS-5CJ
• Appointments / Titles: Between 6 Jan 971 and 5 Jan 995, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland; King of Scotland

Notes:

Kenneth II
King of Alba
Reign 971–995
Predecessor Cuilén or Amlaíb
Successor Constantine III
Died 995
Fettercairn?
Issue Malcolm II, King of Alba
Boite mac Cináeda?
Dúngal?
Suibne?
House Alpin
Father Malcolm I, King of Alba

Kenneth II of Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cináed mac Maíl Coluim (Modern Gaelic: Coinneach mac
Mhaoil Chaluim[1] anglicised as Kenneth II, and nicknamed
An Fionnghalach, "The Fratricide";[2] died 995) was King
of Scots (Alba). The son of Malcolm I (Máel Coluim mac
Domnaill), he succeeded King Cuilén (Cuilén mac Iduilb) on
the latter's death at the hands of Rhydderch ap Dyfnwal in
971.
Contents
1 Primary sources
2 Children
3 Interpretation
4 Death
5 Notes
6 References
7 External links
Primary sources
The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba was compiled in
Kenneth's reign, but many of the place names mentioned are
entirely corrupt, if not fictitious.[3] Whatever the reality, the
Chronicle states that "[h]e immediately plundered
[Strathclyde] in part. Kenneth's infantry were slain with very
great slaughter in Moin Uacoruar." The Chronicle further
states that Kenneth plundered Northumbria three times, first
as far as Stainmore, then to Cluiam and lastly to the River
Dee by Chester. These raids may belong to around 980,
when the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records attacks on
Cheshire.[4]
In 973, the Chronicle of Melrose reports that Kenneth, with Máel Coluim I (Máel Coluim mac Domnaill), the
King of Strathclyde, "Maccus, king of very many islands" (i.e. Magnus Haraldsson (Maccus mac Arailt), King
of Mann and the Isles) and other kings, Welsh and Norse, came to Chester to acknowledge the overlordship of
the English king Edgar the Peaceable.[5] It may be that Edgar here regulated the frontier between the southern
lands of the kingdom of Alba and the northern lands of his English kingdom. Cumbria was English, the western
frontier lay on the Solway. In the east, the frontier lay somewhere in later Lothian, south of Edinburgh.[6]
The Annals of Tigernach, in an aside, name three of the Mormaers of Alba in Kenneth's reign in entry in 976:
Cellach mac Fíndgaine, Cellach mac Baireda and Donnchad mac Morgaínd. The third of these, if not an error
for Domnall mac Morgaínd, is very likely a brother of Domnall, and thus the Mormaer of Moray. The
Mormaerdoms or kingdoms ruled by the two Cellachs cannot be identified.
The feud which had persisted since the death of King Indulf (Idulb mac Causantín) between his descendants
and Kenneth's family persisted. In 977 the Annals of Ulster report that "Amlaíb mac Iduilb [Amlaíb, son of
Indulf], King of Scotland, was killed by Cináed mac Domnaill." The Annals of Tigernach give the correct name
of Amlaíb's killer: Cináed mac Maíl Coluim, or Kenneth II. Thus, even if only for a short time, Kenneth had
been overthrown by the brother of the previous king.[7]
Adam of Bremen tells that Sweyn Forkbeard found exile in Scotland at this time, but whether this was with
Kenneth, or one of the other kings in Scotland, is unknown. Also at this time, Njal's Saga, the Orkneyinga Saga
and other sources recount wars between "the Scots" and the Northmen, but these are more probably wars
between Sigurd Hlodvisson, Earl of Orkney, and the Mormaers, or Kings, of Moray.[8]
The Chronicle says that Kenneth founded a great monastery at Brechin.
Kenneth was killed in 995, the Annals of Ulster say "by deceit" and the Annals of Tigernach say "by his
subjects". Some later sources, such as the Chronicle of Melrose, John of Fordun and Andrew of Wyntoun
provide more details, accurately or not. The simplest account is that he was killed by his own men in
Fettercairn, through the treachery of Finnguala (also called Fimberhele or Fenella), daughter of Cuncar,
Mormaer of Angus, in revenge for the killing of her only son.[9]
The Prophecy of Berchán adds little to our knowledge, except that it names Kenneth "the kinslayer", and states
he died in Strathmore.[10]
Children
Kenneth's son Malcolm II (Máel Coluim mac Cináeda) was later king of Alba. Kenneth may have had a second
son, named either Dúngal or Gille Coemgáin.[11] Sources differ as to whether Boite mac Cináeda should be
counted a son of Kenneth II or of Kenneth III (Cináed mac Duib).[12] Another son of Kenneth may have been
Suibne mac Cináeda, a king of the Gall Gaidheil who died in 1034.
Interpretation
Kenneth's rival Amlaíb, King of Scotland is omitted by the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba and later Scottish
king-lists. The Irish Annals of Tigernach appear to better reflect contemporary events. Amlaíb could be a direct
predecessor of Kenneth who suffered damnatio memoriae, or the rival king recognized in parts of Scotland. A
period of divided kingship appears likely.[13]
Amlaíb was the heir of his brother Cuilén, who was killed in a hall-burning. He might have served as a regent
north of the River Forth, during the absence of his brother. Kenneth was brother to the deceased Dub, King of
Scotland and was most likely an exile. He could claim the throne due to the support of friends and maternal kin.
He was likely older and more experienced than his rival king.[13] Amlaíb is the Gaelic form of Óláfr,
suggesting maternal descent from Norsemen. He could possibly claim descent from the Uí Ímair dynasty. Alex
Woolf suggests he was a grandson of Amlaíb Cuarán, King of Dublin or his cousin Olaf Guthfrithson, which
suggests his own group of supporters.[13]
Death
According to John of Fordun (14th century), Kenneth II of Scotland (reigned 971-995) attempted to change the
succession rules, allowing "the nearest survivor in blood to the deceased king to succeed", thus securing the
throne for his own descendants. He reportedly did so to specifically exclude Constantine (III) and Kenneth
(III), called Gryme in this source. The two men then jointly conspired against him, convincing Finnguala,
daughter of Cuncar, Mormaer of Angus, to kill the king. She reportedly did so to achieve personal revenge, as
Kenneth II had killed her own son. Entries in the Chronicles of the Picts and Scots, collected by William Forbes
Skene, provide the account of Finnguala killing Kenneth II in revenge, but not her affiliation to Constantine or
his cousins. These entries date to the 12th and 13th centuries.[14][15] The Annals of Ulster simply record
"Cinaed son of Mael Coluim [Kenneth, son of Malcolm], king of Scotland, was deceitfully killed", with no
indication of who killed him.[16][17]
In the account of John of Fordun, Constantine the Bald, son of King Cullen and Gryme were "plotting
unceasingly the death of the king and his son". One day, Kenneth II and his companions went hunting into the
woods, "at no great distance from his own abode". The hunt took him to Fettercairn, where Finella resided. She
approached him to proclaim her loyalty and invited him to visit her residence, whispering into his ear that she
had information about a conspiracy plot. She managed to lure him to "an out-of-the-way little cottage", where a
booby trap was hidden. Inside the cottage was a statue, connected by strings to a number of crossbows. If
anyone touched or moved the statue, he would trigger the crossbows and fall victim to their arrows. Kenneth II
gently touched the statue and "was shot though by arrows sped from all sides, and fell without uttering another
word." Finella escaped through the woods and managed to join her abettors, Constantine III and Gryme. The
hunting companions soon discovered the bloody king. They were unable to locate Finella, but burned
Fettercairn to the ground.[18] Smyth dismisses the elaborate plotting and the mechanical contraption as mere
fables, but accepts the basic details of the story, that the succession plans of Kenneth II caused his
assassination.[19] Alan Orr Anderson raised his own doubts concerning the story of Finella, which he
considered "semi-mythical". He noted that the feminine name Finnguala or Findguala means "white shoulders",
but suggested it derived from "find-ela" (white swan). The name figures in toponyms such as Finella Hill (near
Fordoun) and Finella Den (near St Cyrus), while local tradition in The Mearns (Kincardineshire) has Finella
walking atop the treetops from one location to the other. Anderson thus theorized that Finella could be a
mythical figure, suggesting she was a local stream-goddess.[20] A later passage of John of Fordun mentions
Finele as mother of Macbeth, King of Scotland (reigned 1040–1057), but this is probably an error based on the
similarity of names. Macbeth was son of Findláech of Moray, not of a woman called Finella.[20][21]
Notes
1. Cináed mac Maíl Coluim is the Mediaeval Gaelic
form.
2. Skene, Chronicles, p. 96.
3. Duncan, p. 21.
4. ESSH, p. 512; Duncan, p.25.
5. ESSH, pp. 478–479; SAEC, pp. 75–78.
6. Duncan, pp.24–25.
7. Duncan, pp. 21–22; ESSH, p. 484.
8. See ESSH, pp. 483–484 & 495–502.
9. The name of Cuncar's daughter is given as Fenella,
Finele or Sibill in later sources. John of Fordun credits
Constantine III (Causantín mac Cuilén) and Kenneth
III (Cináed mac Duib) with the planning, claiming that
Kenneth II planned to change the laws of succession.
See ESSH, pp. 512–515.
10. ESSH, p. 516.
11. Annals of the Four Masters, s.a. 998: "Dúngal Cináed's
son, was killed by Gille Coemgáin, Cináed's son." It is
not clear if the Cináeds (Kenneths) referred to are
Cináed mac Maíl Coluim (Kenneth II) or his nephew
and namesake Cináed mac Duib (Kenneth III). Smyth,
pp. 221–222, makes Dúngal followingE SSH p. 580.
12. Compare Duncan, p.345 and Lynch (ed), Genealogies,
at about p. 680. See also ESSH, p. 580.
13. Woolf (2007), p. 205-206
14. Cawley 2011, Malcolm (http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLa
nds/SCOTLAND.htm#_Toc253996179).Listing
includes all kings descended from him, excluding
Kenneth III.
15. The name of Cuncar's daughter is given as Fenella,
15. The name of Cuncar's daughter is given as Fenella,
Finele or Sibill in later sources. John of Fordun credits
Constantine III (Causantín mac Cuilén) and Kenneth
III (Cináed mac Duib) with the planning, claiming that
Kenneth II planned to change the laws of succession.
See ESSH, pp. 512–515.
16. Cawley 2011, Malcolm I (http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedL
ands/SCOTLAND.htm#_Toc253996179).Listing
includes all kings descended from him, excluding
Kenneth III.
17. Annals of Ulster, online translation. Entry U995.1 (htt
p://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A/)
18. Skene, John of Fordun's Chronicle of the Scottish
nation, Book IV, Chapters XXXII-XXXIV (32-34),
pages 165-169 (https://archive.org/details/johnoffordun
schr00fordrich)
19. Smyth, Warlords and Holy Men: Scotland AD 80-
1000, p. 224-225 (https://books.google.com/books?id=
mxxwmg48bFgC&pg=PA226)
20. Anderson, Early sources of Scottish history, A.D. 500
to 1286, p. 515 (https://archive.org/details/cu31924028
144313)
21. Skene, John of Fordun's Chronicle of the Scottish
nation, Book IV, Chapters XLIV (44), pages 180 (http
s://archive.org/details/johnoffordunschr00fordrich)
References
For primary sources see also External links below.
Anderson, Alan Orr, Early Sources of Scottish History A.D 500–1286, volume 1. Reprinted with corrections. Paul
Watkins, Stamford, 1990. ISBN 1-871615-03-8
Anderson, Alan Orr, Scottish Annals from English Chroniclers. D. Nutt, London, 1908.
Anon., Orkneyinga Saga: The History of the Earls of Orkne,y tr. Hermann Pálsson and Paul Edwards. Penguin, London,
1978. ISBN 0-14-044383-5
Duncan, A.A.M., The Kingship of the Scots 842–1292: Succession and Independenc eE.dinburgh University Press,
Edinburgh, 2002. ISBN 0-7486-1626-8
Lynch, Michael (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Scottish History. Oxford UP, Oxford, 2002. ISBN 0-19-211696-7
Smyth, Alfred P. Warlords and Holy Men: Scotland AD 80-1000. Reprinted, Edinburgh: Edinburgh UP, 1998. ISBN 0-
7486-0100-7
Woolf, Alex. (2007), "Amlaíb son of Ildulb and Cinaed Son of Mael Coluim",F rom Pictland to Alba: 789 - 1070,
Edinburgh University Press, ISBN 978-0748612345
External links
CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts at University College Cork The Corpus of Electronic Texts includes
the Annals of Ulster, Tigernach and the Four Masters, the Chronicon Scotorum, as well as Genealogies,
and various Saints' Lives. Most are translated into English, or translations are in progress
The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba
Kenneth II of Scotland
House of Alpin
Died: 995
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Cuilén1
Amlaíb mac Illuilb
King of Alba
971–995
Succeeded by
Constantine III
Notes and references
1. The succession after Cuilén's death is uncertain. Whilst Kenneth may have succeeded and faced a later challenge from Amlaíb, it is
also possible that Kenneth and Amlaíb shared the kingship before the latter's death.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kenneth_II_of_Scotland&oldid=782000616"
Categories: 10th-century births 995 deaths House of Alpin Burials in Iona
10th-century Scottish monarchs
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trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: LYQR-4D4

Notes:

Malcolm I
Malcolm I of Scots
King of Alba
Reign 943–954
Predecessor Constantine II
Successor Indulf
Died 954
Issue Dub, King of Scots
Kenneth II, King of Scots
House Alpin
Father Donald II, King of Scots
Malcolm I of Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Máel Coluim mac Domnaill (anglicised Malcolm I) (died
954) was king of Scots (before 943 – 954), becoming king
when his cousin Causantín mac Áeda abdicated to become a
monk. He was the son of Domnall mac Causantín.
Máel Coluim was probably born during his father's reign
(889–900).[1] By the 940s, he was no longer a young man,
and may have become impatient in awaiting the throne.
Willingly or not—the 11th-century Prophecy of Berchán, a
verse history in the form of a supposed prophecy, states that
it was not a voluntary decision that Constantine II abdicated
in 943 and entered a monastery, leaving the kingdom to Máel
Coluim.[2]
Seven years later, the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba says:
[Malcolm I] plundered the English as far as the
River Tees, and he seized a multitude of people
and many herds of cattle: and the Scots called
this the raid of Albidosorum, that is, Nainndisi.
But others say that Constantine made this raid,
asking of the king, Malcolm, that the kingship
should be given to him for a week's time, so that
he could visit the English. In fact, it was
Malcolm who made the raid, but Constantine
incited him, as I have said.[3]
Woolf suggests that the association of Constantine with the
raid is a late addition, one derived from a now-lost saga or
poem.[4]
He died in the shield wall next to his men. Máel Coluim would be the third in his immediate family to die
violently, his father Donald II and grandfather Constantine I both having met similar fates 54 years earlier in
900 and 77 years earlier in 877 respectively.
In 945, Edmund I of England, having expelled Amlaíb Cuaran (Olaf Sihtricsson) from Northumbria, devastated
Cumbria and blinded two sons of Domnall mac Eógain, king of Strathclyde. It is said that he then "let" or
"commended" Strathclyde to Máel Coluim in return for an alliance.[5] What is to be understood by "let" or
"commended" is unclear, but it may well mean that Máel Coluim had been the overlord of Strathclyde and that
Edmund recognised this while taking lands in southern Cumbria for himself.[6]
The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba says that Máel Coluim 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.[7]
Máel Coluim 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 Amlaíb Cuaran again took York in 949–950,
Máel Coluim raided Northumbria as far south as the Tees taking "a multitude of people and many herds of
cattle" according to the Chronicle.[8] 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 Amlaíb Cuaran from York or the return of Eric Bloodaxe.[9]
The Annals of Ulster report that Máel Coluim 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.[10] Máel Coluim's sons Dub and Cináed were later kings.
References
1. Woolf, Pictland to Alba, p. 177.
2. Woolf, Pictland to Alba, p. 175; Anderson, Early Sources, pp. 444–448; Broun, "Constantine II".
3. Anderson, Early Sources, pp. 452–453.
4. Woolf, Pictland to Alba, pp. 178–181.
5. Early Sources, pp. 449–450.
6. ASC Ms. A, s.a. 946; Duncan, pp. 23–24; but see also Smyth, pp. 222–223 for an alternative reading.
7. It may be that Cellach was related to Cuncar, Mormaer of Angus, and that this event is connected with the apparent feud that led
to the death of Máel Coluim's son Cináedin 977.
8. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Ms. D, s.a. 948, Ms. B, s.a. 946; Duncan, p. 24.
9. Early Sources, p. 451. The corresponding entry in the Annals of the Four Masters, 950, states that the Northmen were the victors,
which would suggest that it should be associated with Eric.
10. Early Sources, pp. 452–454. Some versions of the Chronicle, and the Chronicle of Melrose, are read as placing Máel Coluim's
death at Blervie, near Forres.
Further reading
For primary sources see also External links below.
Anderson, Alan Orr, Early Sources of Scottish History A.D 500–1286, volume 1. Reprinted with
corrections. Paul Watkins, Stamford, 1990. ISBN 1-871615-03-8
Duncan, A.A.M., The Kingship of the Scots 842–1292: Succession and Independence. Edinburgh
University Press, Edinburgh, 2002. ISBN 0-7486-1626-8
Smyth, Alfred P. Warlords and Holy Men: Scotland AD 80-1000. Reprinted, Edinburgh: Edinburgh UP,
1998. ISBN 0-7486-0100-7
External links
CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts at University College Cork includes the Annals of Ulster, Tigernach,
the Four Masters and Innisfallen, the Chronicon Scotorum, the Lebor Bretnach (which includes the Duan
Albanach), Genealogies, and various Saints' Lives. Most are translated into English, or translations are in
progress.
(CKA) The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle XML Edition by Tony Jebson and translated at the OMACL
Preceded by
Causantín mac Áeda
King of Scots
943–954
Succeeded by
Ildulb mac Causantín
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Malcolm_I_of_Scotland&oldid=783102782"
Categories: 954 deaths 9th-century births 9th-century Scottish monarchs 10th-century Scottish monarchs
House of Alpin Burials at Iona Abbey
This page was last edited on 31 May 2017, at 04:25.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may
apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered
trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

Notes:

Donald II

King of the Picts, or of Alba
Reign 889–900
Predecessor Giric
Successor Constantine II
Died 900 Forres or Dunnottar
Burial Iona
Issue Malcolm I, King of Alba
House Alpin
Father Constantín mac Cináeda, King of the Picts

Donald II of Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Domnall mac Causantín (Modern Gaelic: Dòmhnall mac
Chòiseim),[1] anglicised as Donald II (died 900) was King of
the Picts or King of Scotland (Alba) in the late 9th century.
He was the son of Constantine I (Causantín mac Cináeda).
Donald is given the epithet Dásachtach, "the Madman", by
the Prophecy of Berchán.[2]
Contents
1 Life
2 See also
3 Notes
4 References
5 External links
Life
Donald became king on the death or deposition of Giric
(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.[3]
It has been suggested that the attack on Dunnottar, 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.[4] The Prophecy of
Berchán places Donald's death at Dunnottar, but appears to attribute it to Gaels rather than Norsemen; other
sources report he died at Forres.[5] Donald's death is dated to 900 by the Annals of Ulster and the Chronicon
Scotorum, where he is called king of Alba, rather than king of the Picts. He was buried on Iona. Like his father,
Constantine, he died a violent death at a premature age.
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 Donald in
view of his epithet.[6] The consensus view is that the key changes occurred in the reign of Constantine II
(Causantín mac Áeda),[7] but the reign of Giric has also been proposed.[8]
The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba has Donald succeeded by his cousin Constantine II. Donald's son Malcolm
(Máel Coluim mac Domnall) was later king as Malcolm I. The Prophecy of Berchán appears to suggest that
another king reigned for a short while between Donald II and Constantine II, 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.[9]
See also
Kingdom of Alba
Origins of the Kingdom of Alba
Notes
1. Domnall mac Causantín is the Mediaeval Gaelic form.
2. ESSH, p. 358; Kelly, Early Irish Law, pp. 92–93 & 308: "The dásachtach is the person with manic symptoms who is
liable to behave in a violent and destructive manne."r The dásachtach is not responsible for his actions. The same word
is used of enraged cattle.
3. ESSH, pp. 395–397.
4. ESSH, p 396, note 1 & p. 392, quotingS t Olaf's Saga, c. 96.
5. ESSH, pp. 395–398.
6. Smyth, pp. 217–218, disagrees.
7. Thus Broun and Woolf, among others.
8. Duncan, pp.14–15.
9. ESSH, p. 304, note 8; however, the Annals of Ulster, s.a. 904, report the death of Ímar ua Ímair (Ivar grandson of Ivar)
in Fortriu in 904, making it possible that Ead (Áed ?) was a king, if not the High King.
References
Anderson, Alan Orr, Early Sources of Scottish History A.D 500–1286, volume 1. Reprinted with corrections. Stamford:
Paul Watkins, 1990. ISBN 1-871615-03-8
Anderson, Marjorie Ogilvie, Kings and Kingship in Early Scotland .Edinburgh: Scottish Academic Press, revised
edition 1980. ISBN 0-7011-1604-8
Broun, Dauvit, "National identity: 1: early medieval and the formation of Alba" in Michaely Lnch (ed.) The Oxford
Companion to Scottish History. Oxford UP, Oxford, 2001. ISBN 0-19-211696-7
Duncan, A. A. M., The Kingship of the Scots 842–1292: Succession and Independenc,e E. dinburgh: Edinburgh
University Press, 2002. ISBN 0-7486-1626-8
Kelly, Fergus (1988). A Guide to Early Irish Law. Early Irish Law Series 3. Dublin:D IAS. ISBN 0901282952.
Smyth, Alfred P., Warlords and Holy Men: Scotland AD 80-1000. Reprinted, Edinburgh: Edinburgh UP, 1998. ISBN 0-
7486-0100-7
Sturluson, Snorri, Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway, tr. Lee M. Hollander. Reprinted University of Texas
Press, Austin, 1992. ISBN 0-292-73061-6
Woolf, Alex, "Constantine II" in Michael Lynch (ed.) op. cit.
External links
CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts at University College Cork includes the Annals of Ulster, Tigernach,
the Four Masters and Innisfallen, the Chronicon Scotorum, the Lebor Bretnach (which includes the Duan
Albanach), Genealogies, and various Saints' Lives. Most are translated into English, or translations are in
progress.
(CKA) The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba
Donald II of Scotland
House of Alpin
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Giric
with Eochaid ?
King of Scots
889–900
Succeeded by
Constantine (Causantín) II
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Donald_II_of_Scotland&oldid=784179553"
Categories: 9th-century births 900 deaths House of Alpin 9th-century Scottish monarchs
Burials at Iona Abbey
This page was last edited on 6 June 2017, at 22:29.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may
apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered
trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.