Fland mac Máele Tuile
Encyclopedia
Fland mac Máele Tuile also Flann Finn or Flann Albus was a King of Ailech
and head of the Cenél nEógain
branch of the northern Uí Néill
. He was the grandson of Crundmáel mac Suibni
(died circa 660), a previous King of Ailech and greatgrandson of the high king of Ireland Suibne Menn
(died 628).
He was a member of the Cenél Feradaig branch of this dynasty which was in conflict with the Cenél maic Ercae branch and had dominated the kingship for much of the 7th century. In 681, along with his allies the Ciannachta of Glenn Geimin (in modern County Londonderry
), he defeated the incumbent king of Ailech, Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich
of the Cenél maic Ercae, who was slain at the Battle of Bla Sléibe (in modern County Londonderry).
The Laud Synchronisms give a 12 year reign to Fland followed by a 6 year reign assigned to a brother named Urthuile. Together their reigns cover the years 681-700 but the exact chronology is unknown. Fland is listed as one of the guarantors to the Cáin Adomnáin
(Law of the Innocents) at the Synod of Birr in 697; as his brother Urthuile but Fland has the title of king. In 700 the annals record the expulsion of Urthuile from the kingship and he went to Britain
. The annals then record the death of Fland in the same year. According to the Chronicum Scotorum, he was killed.
The Cenél maic Ercae branch went on to dominate the kingship of Ailech and eventually acquire the high kingship for the Cenél nEógain. The genealogies give Fland a son named Díchon whose great-great grandson Máel Pátric was founder of the Kilpatricks, who possessed districts in the east of Tyrone.
Ailech
Ailech was a medieval kingdom in Ireland, roughly centred on modern-day County Tyrone and the Inishowen peninsula in Ulster....
and head of the Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEóġain is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Eógan mac Néill , son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Eoghain in the 5th century...
branch of the northern Uí Néill
Uí Néill
The Uí Néill are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noigiallach , an historical King of Tara who died about 405....
. He was the grandson of Crundmáel mac Suibni
Crundmáel mac Suibni
Crundmáel mac Suibni was a King of Ailech and head of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of the high king of Ireland Suibne Menn...
(died circa 660), a previous King of Ailech and greatgrandson of the high king of Ireland Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn
Suibne Menn was an Irish king who is counted as a High King of Ireland.Suibne belonged to the junior branch of the Cenél nEógain kindred of the northern Uí Néill, the Cenél Feredaig, named for his grandfather Feredach, a great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages...
(died 628).
He was a member of the Cenél Feradaig branch of this dynasty which was in conflict with the Cenél maic Ercae branch and had dominated the kingship for much of the 7th century. In 681, along with his allies the Ciannachta of Glenn Geimin (in modern County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
), he defeated the incumbent king of Ailech, Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich
Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich
Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich was a King of Ailech and head of the Cenél nEógain branch of the northern Uí Néill. He was the son of Máel Fithrich mac Áedo and grandson of the high king Áed Uaridnach...
of the Cenél maic Ercae, who was slain at the Battle of Bla Sléibe (in modern County Londonderry).
The Laud Synchronisms give a 12 year reign to Fland followed by a 6 year reign assigned to a brother named Urthuile. Together their reigns cover the years 681-700 but the exact chronology is unknown. Fland is listed as one of the guarantors to the Cáin Adomnáin
Cáin Adomnáin
The Cáin Adomnáin , also known as the Lex Innocentium was promulgated amongst a gathering of Irish, Dál Riatan and Pictish notables at the Synod of Birr in 697. It is named after its initiator Adomnán of Iona, ninth Abbot of Iona after St...
(Law of the Innocents) at the Synod of Birr in 697; as his brother Urthuile but Fland has the title of king. In 700 the annals record the expulsion of Urthuile from the kingship and he went to Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. The annals then record the death of Fland in the same year. According to the Chronicum Scotorum, he was killed.
The Cenél maic Ercae branch went on to dominate the kingship of Ailech and eventually acquire the high kingship for the Cenél nEógain. The genealogies give Fland a son named Díchon whose great-great grandson Máel Pátric was founder of the Kilpatricks, who possessed districts in the east of Tyrone.