Constantine I of Scotland

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Causantín mac Cináeda (died 877) was a son of Cináed mac Ailpín. Although tradition makes Causantín a king of Scots, it is clear from the entries in the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba and the Annals of Ulster, that he was king of the Picts. He became king in 862 on the death of his uncle Domnall mac Ailpín.

In 866, the Chronicle states that Pictland — the Annals of Ulster say Fortriu — was ravaged by Vikings led by Amlaíb Conung. The Chronicle claims that Amlaíb was killed by Causantín that year, but this is either incorrectly dated, or a different Amlaíb (Olaf) is intended as the Irish annals make it clear that Amlaíb Conung was alive long after 866. A date of 874 has been proposed for this event.

In 870, Amlaíb Conung and Ímar captured Alt Clut, chief place of the kingdom of Strathclyde. The king, Artgal of Alt Clut, was among the many captives. The Annals of Ulster say that Artgal was killed "at the instigation of Causantín mac Cináeda" in 872. Artgal's son Run was married to a sister of Causantín.

In 875, the Chronicle and the Annals of Ulster again report a Viking army in Pictland. A battle, fought near Dollar, was a heavy defeat for the Picts; the Annals of Ulster say that "a great slaughter of the Picts resulted". Although there is agreement that Causantín was killed fighting Vikings in 877, it is not clear where this happened. William Forbes Skene read the Chronicle as placing Causantín's death at Inverdovat (by Newport-on-Tay), which appears to match the Prophecy of Berchán. The account in the Chronicle of Melrose names the place as the "Black Cave" and John of Fordun calls it the "Black Den". Causantín was buried on Iona.

Causantín's son Domnall and his descendants represented the main line of the kings of Alba and later Scotland.

[edit] References

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
A.A.M. Duncan,The Kingship of the Scots 842–1292: Succession and Independence. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2002. ISBN 0-7486-1626-8
Smyth, Alfred P., Warlords and Holy Men: Scotland AD 80–1000. Edinburgh UP, Edinburgh, 1984. ISBN 0-7486-0100-7

[edit] External link

The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba (CKA)

[edit] See also

Preceded by Domnall	King of the Picts (traditionally King of Scots) 862–877	Succeeded by Áed

v • d • e

Monarchs of Scotland (Alba)

	Traditional List of Monarchs of the Picts Legendary Monarchs: Drest I • Talorc I • Nechtan I • Drest II • Galan • Drest III • Drest IV • Gartnait I • Cailtram • Talorc II • Drest V • Galam • Bridei I • Gartnait II • Nechtan II • Cinioch • Gartnait III • Bridei II • Talorc III • Talorgan I • Gartnait IV • Drest VI • Bridei III • Taran • Bridei IV • Nechtan IV • Drest VII • Alpín I • Óengus I • Bridei V • Cináed I • Alpín II • Talorgan II • Drest VIII • Conall • Caustantín • Óengus II • Drust IX • Uen • Uurad • Bridei VI • Ciniod II • Bridei VII • Drest X
something	Traditional List of Monarchs of the Scots Kenneth I • Donald I • Constantine I • Áed • Giric • Donald II • Constantine II • Malcolm I • Indulf • Dub • Cuilén • Kenneth II • Constantine III • Kenneth III • Malcolm II • Duncan I • Macbeth • Lulach • Malcolm III • Donald III • Duncan II • Donald III • Edgar • Alexander I • David I • Malcolm IV • William I • Alexander II • Alexander III • First Interregnum • John • Second Interregnum • Robert I • David II • Robert II • Robert III • James I • James II • James III • James IV • James V • Mary I • James VI* • Charles I* • Charles II • The Covenanters • The Protectorate • Charles II* • James VII* • Mary II* • William II* • Anne* * also monarch of Ireland and England