Gille Coemgáin of Moray
Encyclopedia
Gilla Coemgáin was the King or Mormaer
of Moray
, a semi-autonomous kingdom centred around Inverness
that stretched across the north of Scotland
. Unlike his two predecessors, he is not called King of Scotland in his death notice, but merely Mormaer. This has led to some speculation that he was never actually the ruler of Moray, but merely a subordinate of Mac Bethad mac Findláich
. (Hudson p. 136).
In 1020, he certainly participated in the killing of his uncle Findláech
. The Annals of Ulster
(s.a. 1032) reports that Gille Coemgáin was burned to death, together with 50 of his men. The perpetrators are not mentioned in any sources. From circumstances, two candidates have been proposed to have led the atrocity: Malcolm II of Scotland
or Gilla Coemgáin's cousin Mac Bethad, who then became the only ruler of Moray. Mac Bethad reportedly married Gille Coemgáin's widow, Gruoch - either as a conquered enemy widow or a widow of an ally and kinsman, depending on who was responsible for the murder. Both scenarios are entirely credible, knowing archaic medieval customs - nothing exculpatory can be concluded from the marriage, whereas the adoption of the stepson may be a weightier indication.
Gille Coemgáin was the father of Lulach
, a future King of Scotland, fostered by Mac Bethad, whom he succeeded.
, Gille Coemgáin is referred to as Gillecomgain. As a boy, Gille Coemgáin surprises Demona
prowling around one night in his family's barn, and is promptly slashed in the face by the female gargoyle, creating the generational line of "hunters"
bent on destroying all gargoyles. As an adult, just as in medieval reality, Gille Coemgáin kills his uncle Findlaech of Moray, here under the orders of Duncan I of Scotland. Duncan rewards Gillecomgain by making him High Steward of Moray and marrying him to Gruoch.
Mormaer
The title of Mormaer designates a regional or provincial ruler in the medieval Kingdom of the Scots. In theory, although not always in practice, a Mormaer was second only to the King of Scots, and the senior of a toisech.-Origin:...
of Moray
Moray
Moray is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It lies in the north-east of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, and borders the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland.- History :...
, a semi-autonomous kingdom centred around Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
that stretched across the north of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Unlike his two predecessors, he is not called King of Scotland in his death notice, but merely Mormaer. This has led to some speculation that he was never actually the ruler of Moray, but merely a subordinate of Mac Bethad mac Findláich
Macbeth of Scotland
Mac Bethad mac Findlaích was King of the Scots from 1040 until his death...
. (Hudson p. 136).
In 1020, he certainly participated in the killing of his uncle Findláech
Findláech of Moray
Findláech of Moray was the King or Mormaer of Moray, ruling from some point before 1014 until his death in 1020....
. The Annals of Ulster
Annals of Ulster
The Annals of Ulster are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years between AD 431 to AD 1540. The entries up to AD 1489 were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa on the island of Belle Isle on Lough Erne in the...
(s.a. 1032) reports that Gille Coemgáin was burned to death, together with 50 of his men. The perpetrators are not mentioned in any sources. From circumstances, two candidates have been proposed to have led the atrocity: Malcolm II of Scotland
Malcolm II of Scotland
Máel Coluim mac Cináeda , was King of the Scots from 1005 until his death...
or Gilla Coemgáin's cousin Mac Bethad, who then became the only ruler of Moray. Mac Bethad reportedly married Gille Coemgáin's widow, Gruoch - either as a conquered enemy widow or a widow of an ally and kinsman, depending on who was responsible for the murder. Both scenarios are entirely credible, knowing archaic medieval customs - nothing exculpatory can be concluded from the marriage, whereas the adoption of the stepson may be a weightier indication.
Gille Coemgáin was the father of Lulach
Lulach of Scotland
Lulach mac Gille Coemgáin was King of Scots between 15 August 1057 and 17 March 1058.He appears to have been a weak king, as his nicknames suggest...
, a future King of Scotland, fostered by Mac Bethad, whom he succeeded.
In fiction
In the animated series GargoylesGargoyles (TV series)
Gargoyles is an American animated series created by Greg Weisman. It was produced by Greg Weisman and Frank Paur and aired from October 24, 1994 to February 15, 1997. Gargoyles is known for its dark tone, complex story arcs and melodrama...
, Gille Coemgáin is referred to as Gillecomgain. As a boy, Gille Coemgáin surprises Demona
Demona
Demona is a fictional character in the animated television series Gargoyles, voiced by Marina Sirtis. One of the primary antagonists in the series, Demona was once Goliath's lover and part of their castle's Wyvern Clan of gargoyles...
prowling around one night in his family's barn, and is promptly slashed in the face by the female gargoyle, creating the generational line of "hunters"
Hunter (Gargoyles)
In the Walt Disney animated television series Gargoyles, several of the show's antagonists, as legacy villains have used the name and identity of the Hunter. Traditionally, the Hunter persona was used specifically for the purpose of destroying members of the gargoyle species, such as the show's...
bent on destroying all gargoyles. As an adult, just as in medieval reality, Gille Coemgáin kills his uncle Findlaech of Moray, here under the orders of Duncan I of Scotland. Duncan rewards Gillecomgain by making him High Steward of Moray and marrying him to Gruoch.