Cuilén of Scotland
Encyclopedia
Cuilén mac Ildulb sometimes anglicised as Culen or Colin, and nicknamed An Fionn, "the White" (died 971) was king of Scotland (Alba) from 967 to 971. He was one of three known sons of King Indulf
(Ildulb mac Causantín), the others being Amlaíb
and Eochaid.
It is supposed that Cuilén was implicated in the death of his predecessor Dub
(Dub mac Maíl Coluim), who had defeated Cuilén in battle in 965.
The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba
reports several events in the reign of Cuilén. It says that Marcan son of Breodalach was killed in Lothian
, that Cellach
, Bishop of Cennrígmonaid and Máel Brigte, also a Bishop, died. Other reported deaths include Domnall mac Cairill and Máel Brigte mac Dubacain, the identities of whom are unknown, but they must evidently have been important men. Máel Brigte might be a son of the Dubacan mac Indrechtaig
, Mormaer of Angus, who was killed at the Battle of Brunanburh
in 937. Finally, we are told that Leot and Sluagadach went to Rome
, presumably on church business.
In 971 Cuilén, along with his brother Eochaid, was killed in a hall-burning in Lothian
by Amdarch
, a prince of Strathclyde
. The killing was said to be revenge for Cuilén's rape
of Amdarch's daughter. The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba does not say that he was buried on Iona
, but the report of Dub's death makes it clear that this was likely the case.
Cuilén was succeeded by Dub's brother Kenneth II
(Cináed mac Maíl Coluim), who was driven from the throne for a short time in the later 970s by Cuilén's brother Amlaíb. Cuilén's son Constantine III
(Causantín mac Cuilén) was later king.
Indulf of Scotland
Ildulb mac Causantín, anglicised as Indulf, nicknamed An Ionsaighthigh, "the Aggressor" was king of Scots from 954. He was the son of Constantine II ; his mother may have been a daughter of Earl Eadulf I of Bernicia, who was an exile in Scotland.John of Fordun and others supposed that Indulf had...
(Ildulb mac Causantín), the others being Amlaíb
Amlaíb of Scotland
Amlaíb mac Ilduilb , known in English as simply Amlaíb was King of Scots during the 970s. He was the son of King Indulf and brother of King Cuilén...
and Eochaid.
It is supposed that Cuilén was implicated in the death of his predecessor Dub
Dub of Scotland
Dub mac Maíl Coluim , sometimes anglicised as Duff MacMalcolm, called Dén, "the Vehement" and Niger, "the Black" was king of Alba...
(Dub mac Maíl Coluim), who had defeated Cuilén in battle in 965.
The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba
Chronicle of the Kings of Alba
The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba, or Scottish Chronicle, is a short written chronicle of the Kings of Alba, covering the period from the time of Kenneth MacAlpin until the reign of Kenneth II . W.F...
reports several events in the reign of Cuilén. It says that Marcan son of Breodalach was killed in Lothian
Lothian
Lothian forms a traditional region of Scotland, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills....
, that Cellach
Cellach II of Cennrígmonaid
Cellach II is the fourth alleged Bishop of the Scots , the predecessor of the later St Andrews bishopric ....
, Bishop of Cennrígmonaid and Máel Brigte, also a Bishop, died. Other reported deaths include Domnall mac Cairill and Máel Brigte mac Dubacain, the identities of whom are unknown, but they must evidently have been important men. Máel Brigte might be a son of the Dubacan mac Indrechtaig
Dubacan of Angus
Dubacan of Angus is usually regarded as one of the earliest attested Mormaers. He is mentioned as Dubucan filius Indrechtaig mormair Oengusa in the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba, and it is told that he died along with his lord, Amlaib, son of Caustantín II at the Battle of Brunanburh Dubacan of...
, Mormaer of Angus, who was killed at the Battle of Brunanburh
Battle of Brunanburh
The Battle of Brunanburh was an English victory in 937 by the army of Æthelstan, King of England, and his brother Edmund over the combined armies of Olaf III Guthfrithson, the Norse-Gael King of Dublin, Constantine II, King of Scots, and Owen I, King of Strathclyde...
in 937. Finally, we are told that Leot and Sluagadach went to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, presumably on church business.
In 971 Cuilén, along with his brother Eochaid, was killed in a hall-burning in Lothian
Lothian
Lothian forms a traditional region of Scotland, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills....
by Amdarch
Amdarch of Strathclyde
Amdarch was a military leader of the Kingdom of Strathclyde, the probable son of King Dyfnwal III of Strathclyde, and noted in the historical records only as the slayer of King Cuilén of Scotland in 971....
, a prince of Strathclyde
Strathclyde
right|thumb|the former Strathclyde regionStrathclyde was one of nine former local government regions of Scotland created by the Local Government Act 1973 and abolished in 1996 by the Local Government etc Act 1994...
. The killing was said to be revenge for Cuilén's rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
of Amdarch's daughter. The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba does not say that he was buried on Iona
Iona
Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Irish monasticism for four centuries and is today renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. It is a popular tourist destination and a place for retreats...
, but the report of Dub's death makes it clear that this was likely the case.
Cuilén was succeeded by Dub's brother Kenneth II
Kenneth II of Scotland
Cináed mac Maíl Coluim was King of Scots...
(Cináed mac Maíl Coluim), who was driven from the throne for a short time in the later 970s by Cuilén's brother Amlaíb. Cuilén's son Constantine III
Constantine III of Scotland
Constantine, son of Cuilén , known in most modern regnal lists as Constantine III, was king of Scots from 995 to 997...
(Causantín mac Cuilén) was later king.
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